(VOVworld) – Tuy Loc is the first commune in Yen Bai province recognized as a new-style rural area after three years of implementing the National Target Program on New Rural Development.

Yen Bai leaders visit a model to grow chili for exports in Tuy Loc commune. (Photo: Báo Yên Bái)

Tuy Loc commune in Yen Bai City was recognized as a new-style rural area in May 2014. Since then communal authorities and people have tried to improve the quality of 19 criteria.

Agricultural production and husbandry models continue to receive support from the local administration and villagers have been encouraged to mechanize their agricultural production.

Vu Van Nhuan who has participated in the mushroom plantation model since the early days of the program on building new rural areas, said: “We’ve developed and expanded the production model thanks to the support of the administrations of Yen Bai City and Tuy Loc commune. Now we have a stable income.”

Tuy Loc commune has been much improved, with all roads and inter-commune roads cemented. Irrigation works have been built, ensuring enough water supply for production. Electricity and safe water have been provided to each household. The annual per capita income in 2014 reached more than 1,000 USD. The poverty rate is only 5%. Tuy Loc’s administrative center and the culture house of nine hamlets have been constructed, according to Bui Thi Huy, head of Xuan Lan hamlet.

Huy explained: “We always tell each other to conserve our canals ourselves. Any part out of order has been fixed immediately to ensure the necessary irrigation for the rice fields. In addition to the financial support to construct the hamlet culture house, villagers have contributed some more money to build external walls and a concrete yard so that they have place for doing physical exercises.”

Of the total 4 million USD for new rural development, Tuy Loc has mobilized nearly 45,000 USD from local people. Tuy Loc has issued a mechanism to commend and reward collectives and individuals for their realization of criteria with the focus on upholding people’s physical and spiritual lives.

Nguyen Duc Luan, Chairman of Tuy Loc’s People’s Committee, said: “We’ll continue communicating through hamlet meetings to increase public awareness of environmental protection. The goals can’t be achieved if villagers don’t find it necessary to maintain hygiene standards. Local officials should have a high sense of and improve their responsibility for the people. We’ll pay more attention to maintaining public order and the traditional cultural customs.”