Ha Tinh’s products qualified for standards of One Commune-One Product (OCOP) program are on display at a trade fair. (Photo: baohatinh.vn)

The border commune of Kim Son is the poorest locality in Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province, but the national target program of new-style rural development has transformed it.

Much of the area has been turned into vast acacia forests alternating with cattle farms and fruit orchards.

Ho Van Hai of Son Kim 1 commune said that thanks to the support of the local authorities, his family has improved their 7-ha farm by planting trees of various kinds. This has given them a stable income.

Hai told VOV, “We have strictly followed the ‘five no, three clean’ rule, which means no poverty, no law violations or social evils, no having a third child, no malnourished or out-of-school children, and no domestic violence. ‘Three clean’ means a clean house, a clean kitchen, and a clean lane.”

He added, “Our life has greatly improved. Now the yards of many houses are being used to grow fruit trees.”

Many districts of Ha Tinh have effectively implemented new-style rural development. Duc Tho district has planted large-scale paddy fields with high-yield rice varieties. Duc Tho now has 1,200 ha of rice in 35 large fields.

Vo Cong Ham, Chairman of the Duc Tho People's Committee, said the district has set up 500 agricultural models that earn 13,000 USD per year or more. 74 of the models have yearly sales exceeding 40,000 USD.

All communes in Duc Tho have been recognized as new-style rural villages, two of which have met advanced new-style rural standards. Duc Tho town has met the requirements for urban civilization with an average per capita income of nearly 2,000 USD a year across the whole district.

According to Ham, “New-style rural development  has benefited multiple areas. First and foremost is the improvement in infrastructure and people’s material and spiritual life. The road system and rural environment have been upgraded. The locals feel encouraged.”

In addition to the 19 criteria of the National Target Program on new rural development, Ha Tinh has added a 20th criterion for a role-model garden and residential area.

After 7 years, 2 districts in Ha Tinh - Can Loc and Nghi Xuan - meet new-style rural standards, 155 communes have been recognized as new-style  rural areas, 8 communes satisfy advanced new-style rural standards, and there are hundreds of role-model residential areas with an average per capita income of 1,400 USD a year.

A corner of Ha Tinh province (Photo: baohatinh.vn)

Le Dinh Son, Secretary of the Ha Tinh provincial Party Committee, said, “We have paid special attention to agriculture, farmers, rural areas, and service.”

“Our viewpoint is obvious. Much attention has been given to economic development but we won’t neglet people’s lives and social security. Ha Tinh’s GDP and current rate of poor households are both the same as the national average,” said Son.

Ha Tinh expects all its communes to fulfill the new-style rural standards by the end of 2023, and one year later all districts and towns will become new rural areas.

Ha Tinh will continue to make new-style rural development a top priority.