The National Assembly on Monday votes on the resolution of the master plan of socio-economic development in ethnic minority and challenged areas. — VNA/VNS Photo

The plan prioritises the most disadvantaged regions in ethnic minority-dominated and mountainous areas, with the main goals being resolving the lack of residential land, production land and clean water; developing agriculture and forestry with consideration towards each locality’s particular strengths and features; and investing in critical infrastructure in these regions.

It aims to utilise advantages of each area to develop socio-economic conditions and ensure social welfare; reduce the gaps in living standards and income between ethnic minority groups and the national average; foster ethnic minority groups’ cultural identities and traditions but, at the same time, eradicate superstitious and outdated practices; implement activities to boost gender equity and address critical issues concerning women and female children; ensure security and public order; and consolidate the national great unity and enhance the trust of the people in the Party and the State.

According to the plan, by 2025, the income of the ethnic minority population would double that of 2020’s figure while the ratio of poor households would fall by 3 per cent a year. Infrastructure-wise, all schools, classrooms and medical stations are expected to be built or upgraded with duration in mind, 100 per cent of communes are expected to have cement roads leading to the their centres, 99 per cent of households have access to the national power grid or other suitable power sources, 90 per cent of the residents have access to clean water and 100 per cent of the population have access to television and radio.

By 2030, ethnic minority groups would have their income equal to half the national average, with the rate of poor households slipping to under 10 per cent and no destitute communes and hamlets. 70 per cent of the communes in remote or ethnic minority-dominated regions will achieve new rural area status. The plan also sets the targets of having 40 per cent of the ethnic minority population being capable or trained in industrial jobs, tourism and service sectors, while 80 per cent of rural households are to be engaged in commercial agricultural production.

Up to 100 per cent of all ethnic minority households living in geographically remote areas, special-use forests or natural disaster-prone zones would be relocated to more suitable living spaces.

Notably, the plan also indicates that credit and financial support for ethnic minority groups and poor regions will switch from direct, monetary aid to conditional loans – with the money both used to invest into production and cover the costs for training and technical support, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the loans and efforts at sustainable poverty reduction.

The plan has received widespread support from NA members, especially those representing the voices and interests from ethnic minority and upland areas.

Deputy Thao Xuan Sung from the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang’s delegation said that the plan was clearly well-prepared and has taken into consideration feedback from several parties and reflected the will of ethnic minority groups in the country.

The adoption of the plan showcases the State and the people’s resolution on implementing policies to help push forward equity, unity, and respect between 54 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam.

Stressing that when the State provides the right kind of support, Thao Xuan Sung said that there should be policies and incentives in place to encourage scientists and businesses to invest and transfer technology to ethnic minority regions to help build sustainable livelihoods and accelerate poverty reduction.

“Some might not know how to use fertiliser to maximise the output and quality of the crops. Not all could understand the impacts of climate and weather on agriculture and livestock production, scientifically. Traditional wisdom is not enough when the value chain production model is needed,” deputy Sung said.

Trieu The Hung, a deputy from the Central Highlands Province of Lam Dong, said that the plan is “meaningful and profound, politically and socially speaking.”

In addition to economic development, the plan has also paid proper attention to the issues of education and culture for ethnic minority groups in remote and mountainous regions.

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VNS