Co To island district helps residents reduce poverty

Great efforts have been exerted in Co To island district of the northern province of Quang Ninh to help poor families escape poverty. By giving loan support, seedling crops, means of production, technologies and effective fisheries, planting and breeding models, the district has reduced the poverty rate from 10% in 2011 to 0.79% in late 2013. 

Co To district residents’ fishing ships (Photo: Quang Ninh newspaper)

Besides, the district has focused on shifting the structure on seeds, plants, animals and applying advanced technologies into production. Accordingly, the district has increased the value of tourism, trade, service and fisheries (raised and wild); and reduced the value of the industrial sector.

In 2013 alone, 100% of poor families had access to preferential loans worth over VND20 billion. To facilitate effective use of the capital, in 2013, the district organised dozens of training courses on agricultural and fisheries production encouragement; and transferred science and technology on aquaculture, animal and poultry breeding to hundreds of farmers.

Together with promoting production, in 2013, the district gave 121 medical insurance cards to poor and nearly-poor people, and 141 others to children under 6 years old; gave regular allowances together worth VND348 million to 86 beneficiaries; and built houses for poor families.

Earlier, in 2011, the district poverty rate accounted for 10% of its population, with that in some communes up to 15%. With a shortage of water and electricity, residents had to use power with a high price, or use generator – also expensive.

As a result, each year, the budget had to support from VND7-10 billion for the oil for power generation, which greatly affected local economic development and poverty reduction./.