Despite having lived here for 40 years now, this is the first time Hnang Buôn Giá has grown rice. M’nong ethnic people used to grow low-yield produce such as cassava and corn. Opting for rice now, the M’nong woman is able to enjoy profits that have tripled to 4,500 USD per year.
"We’ve never grown rice before, but with the project’s financial support, with guidance on sowing, irrigation, and most importantly group co-operating, we’ve been inspired to make more efforts and that’s made the tasks become easier", said Hnang Buon Gia, Krong Na Commune, Buon Don District, Dak Lak Province.
The project provided farmers like Gia with access to loans and training. The locals will also guarantee from having a place to sell their produce.
"The project guarantees that all the products we made will be sold for a reasonable price. This has eased our worries, it’ll mean a better Tet holiday for this year", said Hnai Be Kom, Krong Na Commune, Buon Don District, Dak Lak province.
The project has enabled many farmers to improve their incomes. After one year, 30 households in the Sơn Cao Commune in Quảng Ngãi Province have escaped poverty. Thanks to the project, Huệ and her family received cows, nd earned 2000 USD after selling her first batch of cattle.
"Before, I just cut wood and raised a few hens, so I earned just over $500 a year. But this project provided me cows, with guidance on how to raise them. Each generation of new calves doubles the income we earned from wood and is easier", said Dinh Thi Hue, Cao Son Commune, Son Ha District, Quang Ngai Province.
The project has focused on over 10,000 people of the Central Highlands region and is eventually intended to include 540,000 people.
The project is facing many challenges. First, the Central Highland is a large area which makes it difficult in terms of access. Moreover, the fund is not sustainable, and is mostly for maintenance. Also, local farmers still lack knowledge on this field so it is hard to ensure sustainable poverty reduction.
What sets this project aside is that it empowers commune-level authorities to take on the role as investor. These grassroots are encouraged to use local labour and harness the involvement of the whole community. These approaches are expected to spearhead Vietnam’s poverty reduction efforts.
