Sustainable poverty reduction in Quang Ngai with 'cow bank'

TPO - Not only giving poor households and households in difficult circumstances a large asset, the Cow Bank model in Quang Ngai also creates a humane cycle, one household receives cows, raises a herd and then continues to give them to other households. After more than two decades, from the initial 255 cows, the herd has now multiplied to more than 2,000, helping hundreds of households escape poverty sustainably.

From a cow to a career

On a late August afternoon, we visited An Chi Tay village (Dinh Cuong commune, Quang Ngai province). In a small corner of the yard, Mrs. Pham Thi Nga's family's cows were leisurely grazing. The story of her family's journey out of poverty began with a cow given to her more than 3 years ago.

In 2021, when she was still a near-poor household, Ms. Nga's family was selected by the Commune Farmers' Association to receive a breeding cow from the "Cow Bank" model. From that "fishing rod", her family multiplied the herd to 3 cows. True to her commitment, 30 months later, she gave a cow to another poor household in the commune.

Thanks to being given breeding cows, Ms. Pham Thi Nga's family escaped poverty.

“In the past, my family was very poor. We grew rice and cassava all year round but still could not eat enough. Since having a cow, our family started to have capital and more motivation to work. Thanks to it, we escaped poverty and also helped another family to have the conditions to rise up. The precious thing is not only the cow, but also the belief…”, Mrs. Nga emotionally shared.

The recipient of the cow that Mrs. Nga’s family gave was Mr. Tran Duc Thong, who lives in the same An Chi village, Dinh Cuong commune, in early 2024. For Mr. Thong, it is no different from the biggest asset in the house. “The cow is currently pregnant, my family takes good care of it. We also promised that when the cow gives birth, we will give one to another household in difficult circumstances like mine. It is both a responsibility and a sentiment of the people, the community, and society,” Mr. Thong confided.

The cow that Mrs. Nga's family gave to Mr. Tran Duc Thong's family is currently pregnant.

Since 2018, the Farmers' Association of Dinh Cuong commune has deployed the Smart Mass Mobilization Model "Breeding Cow Bank and Breeding Pig Bank". The Association has maintained the donation of 102 breeding pigs and 5 breeding cows to 107 poor and disadvantaged farming households, funded by socialized sources.

Members participating in the model receive support for breeding cows and pigs, and must commit to supporting other disadvantaged farmer members after 12 months for pigs and 30 months for cows.

Sharing Wheel

Ms. Vo Thi Vui - Head of the Economic and Budget Committee of Dinh Cuong Commune People's Council (former Chairman of the Commune Farmers' Association), said: "The good thing about this model is that it is not just one-way support. The person who receives the cows and pigs will have to commit to raising the herd and then support other households in difficulty after a period of time. For pigs, it is 12 months, for cows, it is 30 months. Therefore, the model does not stop at eliminating poverty for one family, but creates a cycle, helping many other households benefit together, having the motivation to rise up and escape poverty sustainably."

The cows are cared for by the people, the herds are raised, and they are then given to other poor households, creating a cycle of spreading love.

The "Cow Bank" model, sponsored by ADRA Vietnam, has been implemented by the Quang Ngai Women's Union for its female members since 2001. The project has been implemented in 3 communes, including: Pho Chau, Pho Khanh, the old Duc Pho town, and Nghia Ha commune, the old Quang Ngai city. After 24 years of implementation, from the initial 255 cows, the number of cows of the project in the whole population has now reached more than 2,000.

The cows are cared for and raised by the people, and then given to other poor households, creating a cycle of spreading love and community responsibility. Through this model, hundreds of women members have had the opportunity to develop their economy, escape poverty sustainably and become rich.

From the initial 255 cows, the number of cows in the "Cow Bank" among the people has now reached more than 2,000.

Ms. Le Thi Le Huyen - Deputy Head of the Women's Affairs Department (Quang Ngai Women's Union) said that this model has been very effective. Many female members have escaped poverty and even become well-off. In the future, the Union will propose that the Provincial People's Committee have additional support policies to help people manage and take better care of their cows, keeping the "bank" cycle increasingly sustainable.

The “Cow Bank” model is not simply about giving cows, but about giving trust and hope. This circulation helps people feel that they are not alone, but are a link in the chain of community, moving forward together.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/thoat-ngheo-ben-vung-o-quang-ngai-voi-ngan-hang-bo-post1774411.tpo