Using machine to harvest rice in An Giang (Source: VNA)
Can Tho (VNA) – A conference was held on March 11 in the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho to discuss ways to accelerate the implementation of the new-style rural area-building programme across the nation from 2016 to 2020.
The event was organised by the Central Coordination Office on New Rural Development and the municipal People’s Committee.
The Office aims to take measures to boost the development of disadvantaged communes, thus narrowing the gap among regions.
They include focusing on chain-oriented production, strengthening cross-sector management, and monitoring and supervising the use of resources.
Another priority is enhancing the localities’ abilities to build new-style rural areas at all levels.
Participants discussed the legal framework and investment policies for the disadvantaged communes to boost production and tourism in rural areas.
Localities also shared their experience implementing the programme over the past few years.
By 2020, 50 percent of communes should be recognised as modern rural areas. At least one district in each province and central city has the status.
On average, each commune will meet 15 criteria, with a focus on public facilities like rural roads, electricity, water, schools and health care.
In 2016, more than 263.1 trillion VND (11.75 billion USD) is expected to be mobilised for the programme. Of this, nearly 7.4 trillion VND (329.2 million USD) is sourced from the central budget.
According to the office, as of February, as many as 1,761 communes across the nation have met the new-style rural area criteria, accounting for 19.7 percent.
On average, each commune has met 12.9 criteria, up 8.2 criteria from 2010 and 2.9 criteria from 2015.
Seventeen districts have been given certificates by the Prime Minister. Seven district-level localities are seeking the status.
The national target programme on new-style rural areas, initiated by the Government in 2010, has set 19 criteria on socio-economic development, politics and defence, aiming to boost the development of rural regions.
The list of criteria includes the development of infrastructure, the improvement of production capacity, environmental protection and the promotion of cultural values.-VNA
