Sustainable poverty reduction for the Chut people in Rao Tre

The poverty rate in the Chut community in Rao Tre village (Ha Tinh) decreases every year, but the sustainability is not high.

Positive signals

The Chut people (some groups are called the Sach people, the Ruc people, the Arem people...) live mainly in caves, sustaining their lives by hunting and gathering. In 1991, when the Border Guard of Ha Tinh province patrolled the border, they discovered a group of about 20 Chut people living in caves in the Truong Son mountain range on the Vietnam - Laos border. Afterwards, this group of people was brought to live in Rao Tre village, Phuc Trach commune, Ha Tinh province.

A corner of Rao Tre village

To help the Chut people adapt and stabilize their new life, the Party and the State have paid much attention and support. In particular, implementing the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the period 2021 - 2025, the entire Rao Tre village has over 40 households (nearly 100%) supported with a model of livelihood cows to reduce poverty, with a support budget of over 400 million VND. Up to now, livelihood cows have been well cared for and raised by the people, some of which have given birth to 1 - 2 calves...

The livelihood support from the program has gradually shown its effectiveness. The poverty rate has decreased from 98% at the beginning of the period to 43% now. Many families' awareness of working and accumulating wealth has changed positively.

Mai's family with their herd of cows

The couple Le Xuan Cong (born in 1992) and Ho Thanh Mai (born in 1992) are an example of perseverance in overcoming circumstances to develop the economy and improve their lives. After getting married in 2015, the couple encountered many difficulties in developing their family's economy. Their lives mainly depended on state subsidies.

In 2023, Mr. Cong's family received a breeding cow from the State. Thanks to good care, the cow grew well and gave birth to two calves. "After receiving additional funding, my family bought another breeding cow. Thanks to guidance from all levels and sectors on how to care for it, the family now has five cows, and the economy is gradually improving," Ms. Mai happily said.

There are very few people who have policies to preserve and promote national cultural values.

In addition to the achieved results, the implementation of the National Target Program on Poverty Reduction for Rao Tre village in the period of 2021-2025 still faces many difficulties. Most people do not have a correct understanding of the meaning and importance of the program, thus still relying on the State's support and not taking the initiative to escape poverty.

Officers of the Working Group in Rao Tre village, Ban Giang Border Post instruct people on how to take care of agarwood trees.

The poverty rate has decreased annually, but the sustainability is not high; the production, living and consumption habits of the Chut ethnic people have not really escaped self-sufficiency; they are confused in choosing production and livestock raising methods to develop the family economy and escape poverty...

Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Phuc Trach Commune, Nguyen Xuan Thai, said: “The national target program for sustainable poverty reduction is an opportunity and driving force for development. Therefore, we determine that the implementation must be truly effective, avoiding loss and waste; support projects stem from the needs and aspirations of the people. Inspection and supervision work is also carried out regularly so that the programs and projects can be effective.”

Students at Rao Tre Kindergarten

Through the practical implementation of the program, it is important to arouse the will to self-reliant of the poor and ethnic minorities, combined with support policies of the State and the social community to achieve the goals set out in the Program.

Policies must be regularly reviewed, evaluated, and systematic to be suitable for reality and easily accessible to ethnic minorities. There are specific policies suitable for ethnic minority groups such as: higher support levels than the general average, no counterpart requirements, need to implement diverse support for livestock and crops; have policies to support investment in forest economic development such as supporting seedlings, land improvement...

In particular, for ethnic groups with very few people such as the Chut, it is necessary to pay attention to preserving and promoting their unique traditional cultural values, closely linked to the natural environment. This connection not only helps to preserve national identity but also opens up the direction for developing community tourism, natural forest ecology and creating sustainable livelihoods for people. Guide people to cultivate organically, protect the environment, develop special crops and livestock with high economic value, suitable for local natural conditions. Support the development of traditional occupations such as weaving, knitting, making musical instruments...

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/giam-ngheo-ben-vung-cho-nguoi-chut-o-rao-tre-10387965.html