Villagers of An Thanh in Hoai An District participate in building rural roads.

(VOVworld) – Since the National Targets Program on New Rural Development went into operation a year ago, many communes in the central province of Binh Dinh have had a facelift. Worthy of note is that the local villagers are in control of the program. The initial results are attributed to the consensus shown amongst the local community.

In Binh Dinh, the four communes of Nhon Loc, Binh Nghi, Hoai Huong and An Thach have been chosen to pilot program on new rural development until 2020. The province is targeting 26 of its villages completing the criteria on new rural areas by 2015 and by 2020, 65 communes, accounting for half the number.

After being selected to take part in the pilot program, the authorities in Nhon Loc in An Nhon District outlined a project, in accordance to the Government’s regulations that takes advantage of Government investment to boost the local socio-economic development rate. Now Nhon Loc has fulfilled 12 out of the 19 criteria and by 2015 it will have become a shining example of new rural development. The progress so far is thanks to the local residents joining together to give their village a facelift. Cao Van Nghia, President of the commune’s People’s Committee, says the open discussion with local villagers to reach a consensus with them at every stage of the process has helped the locality to fulfill 12 of the 19 criteria. He says ‘Communication plays an important role in making villagers understand that the farmers are masters of their own program’.

After a year, Nhon Loc already enjoys many changes, with improved country roads, and infrastructure. The local people has donated more than 5,000 square meters of land to build roads, and dug out 3,000 cubic meters for ditches in interior fields. Ta Van Ngoai, from Nhon Loc Village, who donated hundreds of square meters of land to the program, says ‘To keep in line with the Government’s policy, my family responded strongly. We’ve realized that the local people have received many benefits from the program and we are very excited and ready to contribute to the program’.

The new rural development program is now being rolled out across Binh Dinh, according to Phan Thanh Gian, from the program’s head Office. He shares the local experiences ‘The province’s leaders have visited other areas across the country to learn about effective production models. Practical experience shows that new rural developments should first of all target those living in rural areas. Before a model is widely applied, it’s essential to run a pilot project and listen to the public to get their opinions and consensus’.

By 2020, Binh Dinh intends to have 91 of its 129 communes to satisfy the required criteria on new rural developments that raise the standards of living of those in rural areas. To reach this goal, the province’s agricultural sector is speeding up its economic re-structuring by encouraging households and other sectors to invest in agricultural production on an industrial scale and using modern methods. Setting up much larger farms, and combining them with processing facilities will also be prioritized.

Kim Thu – VOV