Criteria on the local transport system of Xuan Truong commune have been completed (Photo: http://baolamdong.vn)

(VOV) – The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong is famous for coffee, cacao, and tourism. It leads the country in the application of advance technology to agricultural production that makes the new rural development process much easier. But its current biggest hurdle is to create consensus and democracy among local people. It considers this the key to completing the program on new rural development. VOV reporter Quang Sang reports….

Planning new rural development was identified as essential, so right from the beginning Lam Dong has mobilized the involvement of the Party, provincial authorities, and local people in contributing opinions to the process. The plan has been adapted to each region and tries to combine economic development with cultural preservation. Nguyen Binh Tri, Chairman of the People’s Committee, says ‘The planning has been done quickly, as it’s based on each commune‘s previous planning on land use in line with new criteria. But the most important point is that the plans have called for public feedback and adjustments to match the current situations before being submitted to the People’s Council for approval. Everything will be easy if we strictly follow this procedure.’

Nguyen Duy Hai is Chairman of the People’s Committee of La Duong district, where 80% of the population are ethnic minority people ‘Planning involves many sectors - transportation, schools, electricity, and land use. Pursuant to the province’s direction, to date, two of five communes in the district have completed planning, while the rest are expected to finish it within this year.’

Lam Dong has basically completed the development of master-planning and adopted plans for 118 communes in the province with expenses kept below 14,400 USD each. Hoang Si Son, Vice Secretary of the provincial People’s Committee, says master-planning was made more practical by the participation of the direct beneficiaries and grass-roots level staff. Son says ‘Although we hired a consulting agency, they did the work with the support of commune officials and other local people. The planning has been efficient and  practical because the villagers have participated from the beginning.’

The province’s achievements have been largely due to a mass mobilization movement assisted by professional staff who were sent to help communes implement new rural development.

Quang Sang