New ways to improve rural livelihoods

People participate in the construction of concrete roads in Phong Quang commune.

Phieng Kham village (Cam Giang commune) is one of the typical villages in the implementation of the Project. Previously, the road to the production area was narrow and muddy, making it difficult to transport agricultural products. After discussion and selection, the people agreed to build a concrete road within the field. The completed project helps motorbikes and agricultural vehicles to travel conveniently, reducing labor and saving transportation costs.

Along with infrastructure, villagers also participate in a hobby farmer group, with a cucumber growing model supported by the Project with seeds and techniques. The lush green cucumber beds have brought in double the income compared to traditional corn and rice.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tham, Head of Phieng Kham Village: We were involved from the stage of selecting projects and models to supervising implementation. Everyone saw their responsibilities and rights, so they were more in agreement and united. The economy was gradually improved, and life was significantly improved.

Not only in Phieng Kham, many other villages also have positive changes, such as the completion of the concrete road in Lung Chang village, helping goods circulate easily; the anti-erosion embankment in Na Loc village has protected the production land from the risk of natural disasters. In Phong Quang commune, the repair and construction of a dam to retain water helps ensure irrigation water sources and increase crop productivity.

The cucumber growing model in Phieng Kham village (Cam Giang commune) brings economic efficiency to households in the hobby farmer group.

In addition to infrastructure, established farmer interest groups have implemented many suitable livelihood models such as developing organic tea models; growing chemical-free peanuts; Dao women restoring brocade embroidery... All models contribute to improving income, preserving traditional culture and promoting community solidarity.

After more than two years of implementation, the Project has supported 36 infrastructure sub-projects and 24 production models, with the participation of 22 villages, belonging to 3 communes of Phong Quang, Cam Giang, Phu Thong, with nearly 200 households being members of hobby farmer groups, including 146 women and 31 poor and near-poor households...

The project “Improving Livelihoods for Poor Communities, Continued” not only brings solid infrastructure works and effective production models, but also creates a change in the thinking and working methods of the community.

The community management method has been maximized in its effectiveness, which is democracy, transparency, economy, and connection; and has been applied consistently, that is, people know, people discuss, people do, people check, and people benefit. People directly participate from the stages of project selection, planning, construction to monitoring and evaluation. Thanks to that, investment items are close to actual needs, saving costs, improving transparency and efficiency.

Mr. Pham Xuan Hai, representative of Bread for the World Organization, said: In addition to economic values, the Project also creates positive impacts in the community, such as strengthening solidarity, improving people's management capacity, and forming models of participatory community development. This is also an important premise for replicating the community management approach to other localities, contributing to promoting sustainable new rural development.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202508/cach-lam-moi-cai-thien-sinh-ke-nong-thon-af614b9/