Bright spots in implementing national target programs in ethnic minority and mountainous areas

With that spirit, in recent times, Economic -Defense Group 337, Military Region 4 has been and is becoming the leading flag, a solid support in effectively implementing the National Target Program in strategic areas at the border of the Fatherland - ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Quang Tri province...

Spread practical effectiveness to every household and every village

Implementing Decision No. 3935/QD-BQP dated November 10, 2021 of the Minister of National Defense on implementing Decision 1719/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister , in 4 years (2022-2025), Economic-Defense Group 337 has been proactive and creative in organizing the implementation of the contents of the National Target Program with a total budget of more than 32.9 billion VND, implementing 15 projects and models for developing livestock, cultivation, and on-site food processing.

Economic-Defense Group 337, Military Region 4 supports livestock for people in communes in the project area for economic development and poverty reduction.

During the 2022-2025 period, more than 2,500 households, mainly ethnic minorities, poor households, near-poor households and newly escaped poverty households in remote, isolated and border areas of Quang Tri province, have directly benefited from programs and projects implemented by Economic-Defense Group 337. These are not only telling numbers but also vivid proof of the heart, responsibility and dedication of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the cause of "serving the people".

People are not only supported with crops, seeds, and production materials, but also have access to technical training courses, guidance on improving farming methods, disease prevention skills in livestock farming, and agricultural product preservation and processing procedures.

Notably, many models are also organized in the form of "hand-holding and guidance", closely coordinating with local authorities, creating conditions for people to "learn by doing", confidently applying scientific advances to production.

Thanks to that, crop and livestock productivity has been significantly improved, income of many households has increased significantly, material and spiritual life has been increasingly improved. Many families from lack of food and clothing have risen out of poverty, have conditions to send their children to school, take care of their health, and gradually build a stable and sustainable life.

More importantly, through production development support models, people have gradually changed their thinking, mindset and way of doing business. Backward farming practices, shifting cultivation and nomadic living have gradually been replaced by sustainable production methods, suitable to local conditions. Many households have given up deforestation and slash-and-burn farming; gradually eliminated bad customs and superstitions, raised awareness of environmental protection and lived in harmony in the community.

The support is not only material but also orienting and guiding, helping people to be more confident, have goals and motivation to develop the economy and build their lives. Thereby, it contributes significantly to stabilizing security and order in the area, strengthening the great national unity bloc, firmly consolidating the national defense and people's security posture at the front line of the Fatherland's border.

In particular, the bond between the army and the people is increasingly strong. For the people in the highlands, the 337th Regiment is not only soldiers who come to help, but also relatives, close friends, and a reliable support in times of difficulty and adversity. Many village elders, village chiefs, and prestigious people in the community have expressed their deep gratitude and firm belief in the correct policy of the Party, State and Army in bringing the program to the right places in need of support.

Handover ceremony of breeding animals to support socio-economic development at A So Economic-Defense Zone, A Luoi, Hue city.

Ms. Ho Thi Hua in Lia commune, Quang Tri province said: “In the past, my family was large and we had no jobs. My husband and I had to go to the south to find jobs, but they were not stable. Thanks to the soldiers of Economic-Defense Group 337 who supported breeding cows, agricultural materials, and provided technical guidance, helped with working days to build barns, and planted grass for food according to the National Target Program, up to now, the herd of cows has developed well, providing a stable income and conditions to buy material things for the family and invest in the children's education. The family thanks the soldiers of Group 337 very much.”

Linking economic development with strengthening national defense and security

In the process of implementing the National Target Program in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, Economic-Defense Group 337 not only stops at supporting production development and improving people's lives, but also proactively takes on a key role in consolidating the grassroots political system, maintaining security and order, building a national defense foundation associated with a solid people's security posture in strategic areas, remote areas, and border areas.

Activities such as patrolling, controlling, and protecting national border sovereignty; closely coordinating with local authorities in natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue; training knowledge and improving skills for disaster prevention and control shock forces at the grassroots level... have contributed significantly to maintaining political security and social order and safety. Thereby, the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers continues to be affirmed as a reliable support for the people, a bridge connecting the army and the people at the front line of the Fatherland.

In particular, through meaningful programs such as "Helping children go to school", "Bringing cultural light to villages", "Joining hands for community health", Group 337 has proactively taken on the role of friends, teachers, and doctors of the people, who silently sow seeds of knowledge, kindling the desire to change life in the midst of many difficult highlands.

Activities such as medical examination, treatment, health consultation, free medicine distribution to people; gift giving, support for poor students; organizing propaganda and education to raise community awareness, eliminate superstition and backward customs; preserve and promote the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities... all have contributed to creating a new rural appearance: civilized, progressive, safe and full of military-civilian affection.

The close connection between the task of economic development and strengthening national defense and maintaining security is a vivid demonstration of the correctness and long-term effectiveness of the policy of having the Army participate in socio-economic development in strategic areas, contributing to building a solid national defense and people's security posture from the grassroots, firmly protecting the revolutionary achievements in the new period.

Military-Civilian Medical Clinic, Economic-Defense Group 337, Military Region 4 examined, consulted and distributed free medicine to people in Ky Anh commune, Ha Tinh.

Promoting the role of "working army" on the development front

On the journey to implement the National Target Program in the difficult areas, Economic-Defense Group 337 has always maintained its mettle, promoted the spirit of initiative and creativity, and overcome countless obstacles: from rugged terrain, isolated traffic to uneven educational levels and harsh climate conditions. No matter the circumstances, the image of the soldier still appears resilient and dedicated, just like the immortal call: "Wherever there is need, there are Uncle Ho's soldiers; wherever there is difficulty, there are Uncle Ho's soldiers".

The high consensus from local Party committees, authorities and people is convincing evidence for the effectiveness and correctness of the policy of bringing the Army to participate in socio-economic development associated with strengthening national defense and security. Thereby, it further highlights and affirms the comprehensive and special role of the Vietnam People's Army in the new period: a resilient fighting army, an exemplary working army and a creative production labor army, always serving the people, for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Fatherland, constantly striving and contributing.

Cadres, employees, and young intellectual volunteers of Economic-Defense Group 337, Military Region 4 participate in helping the locality build new rural areas.

Strategic, long-term and comprehensive mission

Implementing the National Target Programs in ethnic minority and mountainous areas is not only an urgent requirement for socio-economic development, but also a strategic, long-term, comprehensive task with profound political, defense and security implications. This is a process that requires perseverance, persistence and flexibility in implementation; at the same time, it is a test of the mettle, capacity and sense of responsibility of the forces directly involved.

During that journey, Economic-Defense Group 337, Military Region 4 has been affirming its role as the core force, a solid support for the Party Committee, the government and the people in the border areas of the Fatherland. With the spirit of strict discipline and close attachment to the people, the unit not only contributes to promoting socio-economic development, strengthening national defense and security but also spreads the noble image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the hearts of people of all ethnic groups.

Under the comprehensive leadership of the Party, the close direction of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, together with the close coordination of local authorities and the consensus of the people, Group 337 continues to promote its role as an extended arm of the Party in the hearts of the people, a vivid symbol of the spirit of "The army and the people have one will" on the front line of the Fatherland, firmly contributing to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new situation.

TUAN LOI-MAI HUYEN-HAI LINH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/diem-sang-trong-thuc-hien-chuong-trinh-muc-tieu-quoc-gia-o-vung-dong-bao-dan-toc-thieu-so-va-mien-nui-post910748.html