Hanoi's new targets for rural development to be met ahead of schedule

Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, spoke with Hanoimoi Newspaper about the program's achievements and future strategies to meet its goals well before the deadline.

Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photos: Hanoimoi Newspaper

How do you evaluate the implementation of the program 04-CTr/TU for the promotion of the development of new-style rural areas and the improvement of farmers' lives?

Thanks to the efforts and dedication of the entire political system and the support of the community, the 04-CTr/TU program has achieved significant results to date.

As of July, Hanoi has completed 12 of the 33 criteria outlined in the program for the entire 2021-2025 period. An additional 14 criteria are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Currently, all 382 communes in the city have met the standards for new-style rural areas, with 188 communes achieving the status of advanced new rural areas (exceeding the targets of the program) and 76 others being recognized as new-style rural areas. 

According to the plan, by the end of 2024, at least 35 more communes will be designated as role model rural areas, bringing the total number to more than 80 and surpassing the original goals of the program.

In addition, the four districts of Gia Lam, Dong Anh, Thanh Tri, and Hoai Duc have completed the necessary documentation to apply for advanced new rural area status and will seek recognition from the Prime Minister in August. 

Thanh Oai, Thuong Tin and Dan Phuong districts are finalizing their applications for advanced new rural status to be submitted to the city by August 2024.

A key goal of the program is to complete the development of new rural areas throughout the city by 2025. How far has it gotten?

In order to be recognized for completing the development of new rural areas  throughout the city, Hanoi must meet eight specific targets, most of which are nearly complete.

As mentioned above, all districts and cities in Hanoi have met the standards and successfully implemented new-style rural development. More than 40% of the communes have achieved the status of advanced new rural areas. The City Council has approved the Rural Development Plan for 2021-2025, which requires at least four square meters of public green space per person and 70% of streets to be lined with trees.

In addition, the Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services (SIPAS) meets regulatory standards. 

Whether or not the goal of having at least 20% of districts achieve the status of advanced new-style rural areas has been fulfilled is subject to evaluation and approval by the central government.

Hanoi is making great efforts to gain central recognition for the completion of citywide new-style rural development in time for the 70th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024), achieving this goal a year ahead of schedule.

The targets of the 04 program are going to be achieved ahead of schedule. What lessons can be learned from this?

After the launch of Program 04 on March 17, 2021, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and the Head of the Program Steering Committee provided strong leadership. This was complemented by the support of the city council, the local government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, various departments and organizations, and especially the active participation of the community, all of which contributed to the program's success.

Over the past three years, the city has mobilized nearly VND83.1 trillion (US$3.3 billion) to achieve its goals. Various support programs have been implemented, including a VND49.2 trillion (US$1.9 billion) investment in education, health and culture, and a VND2.6 trillion (US$102.9 million) program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, benefiting 13 communes.

In addition, each department has initiated investment projects in local communes. Over the past three years, ten districts have contributed VND917 billion ($36.3 million) to support rural development.

In addition to municipal budget funds, localities have also attracted significant private investment for rural development. As a result, Hanoi's rural areas now have modern, synchronized infrastructure that spurs urban development.

How many of the 33 Program 04 goals remain to be achieved by the city?

New-style rural landscape in Dong Xuan commune, Soc Son district.

While Hanoi has made improvements, it still has a lot of work to do to meet Program 04's 20 criteria.

In 2023, only 81% of rural public schools were recognized as meeting national standards, falling short of the 85% target. In addition, only 24 handicraft villages were recognized, less than half of the target of 50.

Effective cooperatives account for 65%. This is below the 80% target.

In the first half of 2024, only 11 more communes have access to clean water. Some 113 communes remain without a centralized clean water supply.

In addition, planning and management issues remain. These include construction, land use, environmental sanitation, and solid and liquid waste disposal in rural areas. The transformation of the agricultural economic structure has not kept pace with the potential and advantages of the capital.

There is still a lack of business interest in agricultural production, especially in deep processing and high-tech agriculture. In addition, there is always the possibility of diseases spreading among poultry and cattle. 

Moreover, the development of trades and craft villages is still fragmented and unsustainable. Small-scale production hinders investment and the adoption of advanced technologies.

How will Hanoi tackle these ongoing difficulties to meet the targets of Program 04?

For rural development, the Steering Committee for Program 04-CTr/TU has prioritized the allocation of resources to ensure that the criteria for advanced new rural districts and model communes are met in order to achieve the planned objectives.

Districts and towns will need to identify funding and mobilize additional resources to support these efforts. The Committee has also assigned specific responsibilities to various departments to implement solutions for each target.

As the capital, rural development in Hanoi differs significantly from other provinces. What are the city's plans for this new phase?

In recent years, the rural areas of the city have experienced rapid urbanization, which requires that the development of new-style rural areas be in line with urban growth and promote harmony between urban and rural environments. 

The city's directive for new rural-style communes is to maintain standards while improving quality to achieve the goal of developing smart rural areas.

Thank you for your time!