Tan Lap commune, Tan Trao district

(VOVworld) – Tan Trao is one of 3 communes selected by President Truong Tan Sang to be given resources to implement a national new rural development program. VOV’s Thanh Binh reports…

The mountain commune of Tan Trao has gained significant achievements in new rural development thanks to its wise and appropriate policies to boost local production. Tan Trao has completed all 19 criteria of the national new rural development program and now has newly paved roads, new houses, and new production and business facilities, thanks to the local government and the public’s consensus and determination. Local people have been encouraged to contribute their opinions and get involved in policy making. Be Van Hai is a member of Tan Trao commune’s new rural development committee: "In order to mobilize local contributions to this effort, we have to make people understand the program’s importance and the local socio-economic conditions. It’s important that they understand that this is their responsibility and in their best interest."

One of the program’s most important criteria is boosting local production and personal income. The Tan Trao communal authorities have offered local people preferential loans and helped them apply advanced technologies to boost their cultivation, husbandry, and production. Phung Van Minh said his family has been helped by the local authorities to expand their animal husbandry: "We used to be a poor household. Thanks to capital provided by central and local authorities, we were able to expand our husbandry activities and build a new house. I also had an opportunity to take part in classes on advanced cultivation technologies. Our family’s income has improved significantly and we have managed to escape poverty."

Tan Trao has restructured its labour resources by rezoning fields to free funds to develop handicraft sectors, boost trade, and expand the commune’s vocational training centres. The goal is to reduce the number of workers involved in farming activities and increase the number in the industry and service sectors. Nguyen Van Hoa is chairman of the Tan Trao communal People’s Committee: "The most significant achievements of the local implementation of the national new rural development program are Tan Trao’s upgraded infrastructure and increased production. There has been a positive change in local people’s awareness regarding production. In addition to making their own household self-sufficient in food production, they are also learning to produce profitable items to meet the market demand."