Illustrative image (Source: Internet)
Phu Tho (VNA) – Lam Thao district in the midland province of Phu Tho has become the first district recognised as new-style area in the northern mountainous region.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, head of the Steering Committee for the National Target Programme on New Rural Development, granted the Prime Minister’s decision to local authorities during a ceremony on December 31.
With the event, Lam Thao is the 15 th district nationwide to earn the status, with 10 out of its 12 communes having achieved all the criteria during the past five years. Two remaining communes have also met many criteria.
Agricultural production value reaches 110 million VND (5000 USD) per ha in the district. The rate of poor households has been brought down to 2.8 percent while all communes meet national standards on health care.
Technical and socio-economic infrastructure has been improving.
In the foreseeable future, Lam Thao will continue upgrading its socio-economic infrastructure, with a focus on infrastructure for agriculture and rural areas.
The National Target Programme on New Rural Development, launched in 2010, sets 19 criteria for new rural areas covering infrastructure, production, living standards, income and culture, among others.
One district must have at least 75 percent of its communes meeting all the 19 criteria in order to receive the new rural area title.-VNA
