Promoting Organic Agriculture
After nearly 15 years of carrying out the new rural development program, it comes to a surprise to many people to see remarkable transformation when they set foot in Soc Son district as its outlook is getting more modern, cleaner and more beautiful, alongside significantly improved living standards of local residents.
Local products from Hanoi showcased at an exhibition
Achievements
With the concerted effort of the entire political system and the consensus and support of all people, by the end of 2024, Soc Son had seen 18 out of 25 communes to complete advanced new rural development standards and 11 communes to fulfill exemplary new rural development standards. Compared to the targets and tasks assigned by the 17th Hanoi Party Committee in Program No. 04-CTr/TU, Soc Son district exceeded the targets by 12 communes in terms of advanced rural development standards and seven commune in terms of model rural development standards, thus earning high praise from the Steering Committee on Program No. 04-CTr/TU.
Pham Van Minh, Chairman of the Soc Son People's Committee, affirmed that the new rural development policy has a starting point, but it has no ending as it advances toward the goal of building a modern, civilized countryside with synchronized infrastructure and a green, clean and beautiful environment.
He also emphasized that, at any stage, new rural development remains vital. Therefore, commune-level authorities are requested to continue intensive information and communication efforts so that residents fully understand the process and are well-prepared for stable operations following the rearrangement of administrative boundaries.
From a purely agricultural district with backward farming practices, Soc Son has gradually formed centralized commercial agricultural production zones applied with high-tech methods to reduce time and labor in land preparation, planting, and harvesting; ease seasonal pressures; and enable the workforce to shift to other handicraft sectors so as to increase incomes for farmers. Currently, 100% of land preparation and harvesting in rice and vegetable cultivation is mechanized. The district now has 112 agricultural cooperatives which have effectively provided public irrigation services and gradually driven changes in agricultural production, hence contributing to local socioeconomic development and laying the foundation for agricultural restructuring and achieving national criteria for new rural development.
Building effective production and consumption chains
Soc Son has applied many consistent solutions for economic development and improved livelihoods for people, with a particular emphasis on agriculture. This has resulted in 24 highly effective production and consumption value chains across the district like high-tech grown mushrooms, Minh Phu organic chicken, Bac Son and Xuan Giang medicinal herbs, Bac Son safe tea, Tung Duong chicken eggs, Mai Dinh and Phu Cuong high-tech vegetables, and Thanh Xuan organic vegetables.
The district also has 21 high-tech agricultural production models, which have proven economically effective and suitable for local conditions. Soc Son has also developed trademarks for eight agricultural products, along with more than 10 agricultural brands created by cooperatives, businesses, and production households. Over 100 product types have been equipped with QR Code traceability.
Furthermore, agricultural production continues to thrive, with many specialized farming zones with high economic efficiency such as specialized areas for farming high-quality rice, safe vegetables, and organic vegetables. In addition, high-tech agricultural production models and value chains have delivered tangible results. Currently, the district has 125 OCOP-certified products and product groups.
Mr. Ngo Van Ngon, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Coordination Office of the New Rural Development Program, said that Soc Son has carried out the program methodically, resolutely, and comprehensively and achieved tangible results. Especially, many communes, after being certified to meet advanced rural development standards, successfully fulfilled model new rural development standards in just 5-6 months.
This impressive progress and success are partly attributed to the close leadership of local authorities as well as the participation and consensus of local people.
"In the coming time, new rural development will remain a key and ongoing task. The Party and the government of the district will continue directing the communes to invest in and upgrade criteria to maintain and enhance the quality of new rural development. At the same time, specialized departments will work with relevant municipal agencies to finalize dossiers for submission to competent bodies for recognition of Soc Son as an advanced new rural district in 2025," said Phan Van Minh, Chairman of the Soc Son People's Committee.
“According to our tracking facts, people in the communes in Soc Son district highly appreciate the results of advanced rural development, as shown by their support in surveys conducted under the guidance of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. This indicates that advanced new rural development is clearly present in the district. Looking ahead, we hope Soc Son will continue to direct its communes to maintain and enhance the quality of the criteria, so that local residents benefit more from this process and the new rural development becomes increasingly substantive and effective,” said Mr. Ngo Van Ngon.