The National Target Program for New Rural Construction is one of the key initiatives that Binh Duong province has actively directed and implemented over time. Through strong and coordinated efforts from the entire political system and active community involvement, significant improvements have been made in rural areas across the province.
Comprehensive rural development
On the morning of May 28, Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee held a conference to review the National Target Program on New Rural Construction and sustainable poverty reduction in Binh Duong province for the period of 2021-2025. Attending the conference were Mr. Nguyen Van Loc, a Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, and Mr. Bui Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.
During the 2021-2025 period, Binh Duong province has made significant efforts to implement tasks and solutions in accordance with the direction of the Central Government while considering local characteristics. All levels, sectors, and localities in the province have worked cohesively to implement the new rural construction program alongside the urban development roadmap for the province, districts, and cities. Notably, the economic, technical, and social infrastructure of rural areas throughout the province has seen substantial investment and rapid improvement.
The healthcare system, educational institutions, cultural facilities, sports amenities, and community activities have all expanded, fulfilling the needs of rural residents. Many innovative and effective approaches have proven their practical value, contributing significantly to advancing the work of building new rural areas in the province. Remarkably, the communes that have achieved advanced and model new rural construction standards are primarily in remote areas; they started from challenging conditions but have made commendable efforts to reach their goals ahead of schedule. These communes not only concentrate on production development but also adopt programs focused on culture, education, and digital transformation. This is aligned with the goal of incorporating digital technology into building new rural areas to promote economic growth and reduce the gap between rural and urban areas.
Ms. Ngo Thi Minh Lan, a resident of a model new rural commune combined with the pilot construction of a "smart village" in Binh Hung hamlet, Bach Dang commune, Tan Uyen city, expressed: “Since we began the program for building a new rural commune, and now that Bach Dang has achieved model new rural standards in culture, I have witnessed daily changes. The electricity system, roads, schools, and cultural institutions have all been upgraded and expanded. Many households have voluntarily donated land to widen roads and to improve gardens, fences, village roads, and alleys, making them more spacious and cleaner. I am very excited about the changes in my hometown.”
Additionally, the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program is thriving. Currently, the entire province boasts 274 OCOP products, including 4 products that have achieved 4-star OCOP status and 270 products that have attained 3-star OCOP recognition. The poverty reduction program is proving effective, with the province's poverty line being 1.3 times higher than the national poverty line; as a result, the poverty rate based on provincial criteria is currently only 1.06%.
Towards smart new countryside
Binh Duong has successfully established a model new rural commune during the 2021-2025 period, with a focus on the pilot construction of a "smart village" in Bach Dang commune, Tan Uyen city. This initiative aims to improve the quality of new rural criteria and create significant changes in the core economic and cultural values that this program brings to the community. Following this pilot, Phu Giao district is now also developing a "smart village" project, emphasizing key areas such as smart institutions, smart resources, smart infrastructure, smart services, and smart production and business practices.
Mr. Pham Van Bong, Director of Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, noted that building a new rural area is a task with a starting point but no endpoint. The goal is to shorten the gap between rural and urban areas. Binh Duong province has proactively and innovatively approached new rural construction. To date, many rural infrastructure projects have been invested in, constructed, upgraded, or repaired, effectively meeting the production and living needs of the residents. High-tech agricultural production methods and organic agriculture have expanded, significantly transforming the rural landscape and enhancing the material and spiritual lives of rural communities.
Moving forward, Binh Duong province aims to continue developing new rural areas with a focus on ecological agriculture, modern countryside living, and civilized farming. The emphasis will be on innovation, creativity, and the application of science and technology in the production, preservation, processing, and consumption of agricultural products, ultimately enriching agriculture and rural areas. The province will also focus on modern agricultural development, specializing in large-scale, concentrated commodities while ensuring food safety through advanced scientific and technological applications, digital transformation, mechanization, and automation. There will be a strong emphasis on linking agriculture with industry and services, as well as promoting green, organic, and circular agriculture.
During the conference, Mr. Bui Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee, urged Department of Agriculture and Environment — Standing Agency of Steering Committee for Provincial Target Program for New Rural Construction — to deepen the implementation of the New Rural Construction Program. This should create a widespread impact throughout the political system and among all segments of the population, with a core goal of improving the material and spiritual well-being and income of the people. Additionally, Department of Agriculture and Environment should focus on developing the rural economy within the value chain, restructuring the agricultural sector towards high technology, organic practices, and smart methods, while also preserving rural cultural identity and traditional products. This effort should include creating ecological agricultural programs that can develop into tourist destinations and contribute to a sustainable agricultural economy.
As of now, all 38 communes in the province have met advanced new rural standards; 12/38 communes have achieved model new rural status; and 3/6 districts and cities have reached new rural standards, completing their objectives for building new rural areas. Notably, during the implementation of new rural construction, Binh Duong province has not incurred any outstanding debts related to investment capital for these projects. For the 2021-2025 period, total investment capital for new rural construction in the province is projected to exceed 12,000 billion VND, with budget capital accounting for 72% and mobilized capital, credit, enterprise contributions, and community support making up 28%. |
Reported by Thoai Phuong, Thanh Tuyen - Translated by Ngoc Huynh
