More than 25 years ago, Economic -Defense Group 337 marched to Huong Hoa (Quang Tri) to carry out the task of economic development associated with national defense. The project area spans over 660km², is a remote and extremely difficult area, with poor transportation, landslides in the rainy season, almost no electricity, and no information network. Production Team 8 was assigned to manage nearly 8,000m² of land, which used to be covered with reeds, weeds and scattered with bombs and mines after the war.

Officers and staff of Production Team 8 help people harvest the 2024 autumn-winter rice crop.

The goal of the Team is to reclaim land, grow industrial and food crops, help people develop the economy, and at the same time contribute to strengthening the regional defense posture. The climate here is harsh, with hot Lao winds in the summer and dry north winds in the winter. There are still many bombs and mines lurking underground... but the soldiers do not retreat.

From the beginning, the team coordinated with the authorities to clear mines, improve the land, and plant suitable plants such as cassava, dragon fruit, green vegetables, etc. At the same time, they brought their own poultry for breeding and livestock development. The soldiers also went to each village to guide people in building houses, growing crops, raising livestock, and reclaiming rice fields.

With the spirit of sticking to the people and the land, the staff of Production Team 8 gradually built an effective economic model: Investing in building barns to raise cows, pigs, and goats, taking advantage of streams to build ponds to raise fish. The initial results were very positive: Vegetables grew well, livestock and poultry grew steadily. Seeing the obvious results, people gradually trusted and followed, gradually changing old and backward production practices.

Staff of Production Team 8 help poor households in Nguon Rao-Pin village (Huong Son commune, Huong Hoa district) build new houses.

Green gradually covers the barren hills. People are starting to have a stable income from coffee, cassava, ginger, etc. Many households in the area, which used to have economic difficulties, have now escaped poverty sustainably. Along with helping people escape poverty, the Team is also proactive in providing food for themselves. Major Nguyen Sy Hieu, an employee of Production Team 8, said: “Since 2020, the Team has increased vegetable production, maintained herds of cows, pigs, poultry, and released more than 1,000 fish on a pond area of ​​100 square meters. On average, each year, the team earns nearly 200 million VND to serve the unit and consume outside.”

Thanks to the close ties with the people, the areas where the unit is stationed have taken on a new look. Sharing about the next direction, Major Tran Trung Giap, Deputy Head of Production Team 8 affirmed: “We will continue to build effective economic models, accompany the people to develop production, contribute to improving life and strengthening the "people's hearts" in the border area".

Article and photos: HUU HIEP

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/cac-van-de/cung-ba-con-xay-dap-cuoc-song-moi-835064