 A farmer of Na Lang hamlet in Muong Lum commune prunes his fruit trees. (Photo: Thanh Huyen) |
We went to the northwestern mountainous commune of Muong Lum, 250km from Hanoi, in early October via a cement road that took us around green hills covered with fruit trees and past ripening fields of rice stretching down the valley.
Muong Lum used to be an extremely difficult mountain commune in Yen Chau district. The 731 households of more than 3,500 people living are ethnic minorities whose income is mainly based on agricultural production.
To help these people escape poverty, the Muong Lum administration has directed them to make full use of the commune’s potential, strengths, and existing policies to expand their production.
The villagers are encouraged to grow high-yield plant varieties and livestock suitable to the local terrain, expand their economic models and areas of food crops and fruit trees, and treat cattle-breeding like commodity production to increase their income.
Muong Lum now has 230 hectares of fruit trees, 2,000 cattle, 3,000 pigs, and more than 60 hectares of wet rice, mainly of the Mac Duoi sticky rice variety. This specialty variety has been recognized as a high-value OCOP product.
Hoang Van Chuc, Chairman of the Muong Lum communal People's Committee, said, “Muong Lum focuses on applying science and technology and cultivating high-value crops like fruit trees and cattle raising. As a result, the poverty rate has dropped dramatically – 4% last year. The number of poor households is now 32%, and near-poor 13%.”
The biggest change in Muong Lum is the change in the local economic development mindset.
Vu Lao Phong’s family took the lead in crop restructuring in On Oc hamlet, where all the locals are Mong ethnic minority.
Over the past decade, Phong’s family has converted more than 2 hectares of land from unprofitable crops to plum trees. He has invested in a drip irrigation system to extend plum production from March to the end of June. This has helped his family earn more money. After expenses, Phong earns an annual profit of about 13,000 USD.
“Following the government’s call to convert unprofitable crops, I have changed to plum trees, which has given us a stabler income. I’ve encouraged others to switch to plum trees. The commune now has 52 hectares of plum trees,” Phong told VOV.
Muong Lum has seen positive changes. 99% of the households now have access to electricity. 10 km of inter-hamlet roads have been paved. A road from Muong Lum to Tan Lap in Moc Chau district has been built, and another road connecting On Oc hamlet to Gian hamlet is under construction.
Muong Lum has worked to improve local education and training. 98% of the local school-age children are attending school.
Health care is now following standards for examination, treatment, and insurance. Common diseases are treated by the local medical station, said Hoang Van Men, a Muong Lum resident.
“In recent years, the Muong Lum government has taken drastic measures to eradicate hunger, reduce poverty, and improve people's living standard. Commune officials have set an example for people to follow,” said Men.
The unity of Muong Lum officials and residents in overcoming difficulties is changing the commune day by day. To create breakthroughs for Muong Lum’s development, Son La province and Yen Chau district are offering support for projects and programs, and planning a high-end resort at Muong Luong Lake to boost tourism.