Overcoming challenges to achieve success
We visited Ia Dal just after the commune was recognized by the Kon Tum provincial People's Committee for meeting new-styled rural standards in 2023 under the national criteria for the 2021-2025 period. There is a palpable sense of pride and optimism among local officials, Party members, and citizens regarding the development of this remote border area.
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Officers, soldiers, and workers from Branch 716 help local people harvest rice. |
Trinh Quoc Hoan, Chairman of the Ia Dal commune People's Committee, emphasized, “Many factors have contributed to Ia Dal's remarkable transformation, but the significant contributions of Branch 716 (Corps 15) cannot be overlooked. Their innovative models and practices have helped locals change their old habits, break away from outdated customs, and develop the local economy and society.”
For example, the family of Mai Van Thu, a worker with Team 11 (Branch 716), now owns a 12-hectare farm that produces valuable crops such as star apples, jackfruits, sapodilla, coconuts, passion fruit, cashews, and pumpkins. After deducting production costs, the family earns nearly VND 400 million annually. Additionally, Thu earns a monthly income from rubber tapping and operates a small grocery store. He recounted that in 2012, he and his wife moved from their hometown in Trieu Son, Thanh Hoa, to the border region of Ia Dal with nothing but determination only. At the time, the area was largely undeveloped, with poor infrastructure and limited social amenities, but thanks to the support from Branch 716 and local authorities, they were able to adapt to rubber farming and establish a successful life.
Similarly, Ha Van Dan and his family, workers with Team 6, have gone from having nothing to now earning VND 300 million annually from farming and raising livestock, along with an additional monthly income of VND 18 million from rubber tapping.
Innovative methods for sustainable poverty alleviation
According to Truong Thi Linh, Head of the Internal Affairs of the Kon Tum provincial Party Committee and former Secretary of the Ia H’Drai District Party Committee, the transformation of Ia Dal commune, which has a 52-km border with Cambodia, is the result of strong collaboration among the Party, government, political organizations, businesses, armed forces, and the local population. This cooperation has led to creative approaches in building infrastructure, developing the economy, and ensuring national defense and security. Branch 716 has also played a key role in helping Ia Dal achieve many of the criteria for new-styled rural areas.
Branch 716 employs over 1,000 workers across 12 production teams, living in five hamlets, including Hamlets 5, 6, 7, 8, and Ia Der, as well as part of Hamlet 1 in Ia Dal commune. These hamlets are exemplars of new-styled rural development, showcasing effective initiatives such as constructing multi-use facilities that serve both production and community needs while ensuring national defense and security. Branch 716 also assigns its officers to lead hamlets and participate in local political systems, while coordinating with local authorities to allocate land and support for housing, infrastructure, and education.
Branch 716 has also spearheaded agricultural projects such as livestock breeding and fruit farming, helping local people escape poverty quickly and sustainably. Colonel Hoang Xuan Thang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Branch 716, shared that in the past five years alone, the branch has built and repaired dozens of kms of roads, schools, and worker housing. It has also supported the construction of 10 houses and donated 97 breeding cows to impoverished families. These efforts have contributed significantly to Ia Dal achieving new-styled rural standards in 2023, reducing the poverty rate from 58.23 percent in 2019 to just 6.33 percent in 2023.
Translated by Trung Thanh