The province of Bắc Giang is witnessing a remarkable transformation in its rural areas, particularly in An Toàn Khu II, Hiệp Hòa. Photos courtesy of Bắc Giang Province

BẮC GIANG According to Dương Thanh Tùng, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Bắc Giang, the province is focusing on resolving difficulties and speeding up the progress of building new rural areas in the region.

Bắc Giang aims to achieve specific targets by 2025, including having seven district-level units meet the new rural standards or complete their new rural construction tasks, 160 communes achieving new rural standards, 78 communes reaching advanced new rural standards, and 15 communes becoming exemplary new rural areas.

The province continues to promote the "Bắc Giang collectively builds a new countryside for the 2021-2025 period" movement. It directs communes to review and update according to the criteria set by the New Rural Development Program for 2021-2025. The focus is on implementing advanced, model new rural communes and model new rural villages in communes that have met the standards. The goal is to create attractive living environments in localities, integrating digital transformation into the formation of smart villages and communes. Moreover, there is an emphasis on developing new rural areas connected with rural tourism to increase income for the residents.

Bắc Giang is also restructuring the agricultural sector to align with the development of an eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural industry. The province is keen on enhancing the quality and value of agricultural products and shifting from quantity-based production to efficient agriculture. The implementation of the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) program is integral, focusing on the main products and potential of the province.

As part of the commemorative events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan (September 21, 1973 - September 21, 2023), a special programme was organised by the People's Committee of Bắc Giang province. The event also featured cultural exchanges between Viet Nam and Japan, showcasing the strong and enduring bond between the two nations. In the photo, the Chukyo Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association and Yokoi Mould Vietnam Company presented Bắc Giang province with 120 cherry blossom trees, including 10 mature ones designated for planting at the Tây Yên Tử Spiritual and Ecotourism Area.

In addition to rural development, Bắc Giang is concentrating on industrial and service sector development to shift the labor structure and improve income for rural residents. The province is also addressing issues related to rural security, waste disposal, and gradually reducing the rural-urban development gap.

Furthermore, Bắc Giang prioritises resources for the National Target Program for New Rural Development, investing in the construction of comprehensive and modern rural infrastructure, particularly in areas close to urban centres. This includes upgrading transportation infrastructure, digital transformation, culture, education, and healthcare. The province is committed to urgently and resolutely addressing environmental pollution in rural areas, especially waste and wastewater, while creating bright, green, clean, beautiful, culturally rich rural landscapes.

As of June 2023, Lục Nam district in Bắc Giang has achieved 100 per cent recognition of its communes meeting the new rural standards, with three out of 25 communes acknowledged for reaching advanced new rural standards. The district is striving to complete the criteria for advanced new rural districts and expects to submit them for central review in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Traditional Japanese dance performance charms audience at the Event in Tây Yên Tử Spiritual and Ecotourism Area, Bắc Giang Province.

In the same period, Bắc Giang province has added 27 communes recognised as meeting the new rural standards. Currently, 148 out of 182 communes in the province (81.3 per cent) have achieved the new rural standards. It is anticipated that by December 31, 2023, 154 communes (84.6 per cent) will meet the new rural standards. Additionally, 37 communes have reached advanced new rural standards, with a projected 55 communes (30.2 per cent) expected to achieve advanced new rural standards by the end of 2023. Furthermore, one commune has been recognised as an exemplary new rural area, and it is expected that 10 communes will achieve this status by the end of 2023.

The province's effective implementation of agricultural restructuring and rural economic development from 2021 to the present has contributed significantly to sustainable income growth for the local population.

The OCOP program, focusing on developing key products, has become a strong driving force in building the new countryside and rural economic development. Currently, the province has 205 products meeting the OCOP standards, with 31 products achieving 4 stars (15.1 per cent) and 174 products achieving 3 stars (84.9 per cent). One product (Hồng Xuân Lục Ngạn lychee) has the potential for a 5-star rating, already submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for evaluation and classification. Additionally, one rural tourism product (Ecotourism and Cultural Tourism in Bản Ven) has been recognised.

Tourists enjoy citrus and pomelo orchards in Lục Ngạn, Bắc Giang.

After being rated and meeting OCOP standards, these products have shown significant improvements in quality and design. Over 60 per cent of OCOP entities have experienced an average annual revenue increase of over 15 per cent. Currently, 117 entities with OCOP products have been evaluated and classified, with 88.3 per cent being cooperatives and businesses, and 11.7 per cent being households.

Nguyễn Văn Minh, Deputy Head of the Provincial New Rural Coordination Office, commented: "Implementing the criteria for the new rural development phase 2021-2025, despite many difficulties, with innovative methods and high determination, the province's new rural development program continues to achieve comprehensive results, going deeper, maintaining its leading position in the northern mountainous region."

Trương Thị Hậu, from Văn Non Hamlet, Lục Sơn Commune, Lục Nam District, Bắc Giang, expressed her satisfaction, saying: "There is now a place for health check-ups and every children here go to school. It's something very uplifting. The second thing is that there are transportation services for the children to go to school, and now transportation is very convenient, so people feel very excited."

Phạm Văn Thể, Chairman of the People's Committee of Lục Sơn commune, Lục Nam District, Bắc Giang, noted: "The people's support is very high". VNS