Policy credit fund helps farmers convert crops efficiently
In recent years, thanks to the social policy credit fund, many people in Moc Hoa district of Long An province have the conditions to invest in switching from low-yielding rice land to other crops that bring high economic value, contribute to increasing income and improving quality of life.
Policy credit fund helps farmers to invest more from low-yield rice to other crops with higher economic value
Years after the liberation day, Binh Hoa Trung commune of Moc Hoa district was a new economic zone, the land was contaminated with alum. According to the policy of reclaiming Dong Thap Muoi region, the province began to dig canals to remove acidity and wash alum; at the same time, people were brought to new economic zones. After some time, people here have changed from one to two crops, and many places can even cultivate 3 crops. However, Huong Trang hamlet is a mound land and difficult to improve, rice cultivation is not as effective as other lands. Therefore, the people of Huong Trang hamlet want to convert to other crops that bring economic value and contribute to improving their income.
Understanding the needs of people in Huong Trang hamlet, the Transaction Office of Social Policy Bank of Moc Hoa district through the unions has created conditions for people to borrow money under the job creation program. Mr. Vo Van Van, living in Huong Trang hamlet, said: “On average, 1,000 square meters of paddy land converted to jackfruit cultivation, requiring capital of at least 20 million VND. Jackfruit only needs to be planted for 2 years to be able to harvest and is sold with the average price from 25,000-35,000 VND per kilo, sometimes even up to 80,000 VND per kilo. After subtracting costs, the profit is 4 times higher than growing rice on the same cultivated area”.
It is known that Mr. Van's family is supported by the Transaction Office of Social Policy Bank of Moc Hoa district to borrow 50 million VND from the capital of the job creation program. From the above money, his family changed 2,000 square meters of rice land to cultivate jackfruit. Thanks to the profit from growing jackfruit, he continued to convert another 2,000 square meters of rice land to cultivate jackfruit. Currently, his family's jackfruit garden is harvesting and bringing high economic value.
Team leader of Savings and Loans Group of Huong Trang Hamlet - Tran Thi Lai informed: “Nearly 2 years ago, people in Huong Trang hamlet have started to switch to planting fruit trees such as custard apple, durian, Thai canarium, jackfruit, etc. Therefore, the demand for loans also increases, while the capital from the job creation program is limited to the locality, so I have to review and arrange according to each citizen, priority for households with extremely difficult circumstances”.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Em's family, living in Chuoi Tay hamlet, Binh Thanh commune, also thanks to loans from the Transaction Office of Social Policy Bank of Moc Hoa district that has the conditions to renovate the trash garden to plant jackfruit and get out of poverty. Mr. Hoang Em confided: “When I separate from my parents’ family, my husband and I work as hired labor to make ends meet. Although she works hard, her life is still difficult, especially after the wife gives birth. Thanks to the Women's Union of the commune to facilitate the loan of 50 million VND from the Social Policy Bank, I renovated the trash garden and raised cows. After a while, my wife and I can repay the loan and get out of poverty”.
Up to now, Moc Hoa district has 298.4 hectares of fruit trees converted from rice cultivation, including 66.7 hectares of dragon fruit, 47.98 hectares of mango, 9.18 hectares of custard apple, 14.2 hectares of durian, over 70 hectares of jackfruit and 21 hectares of vegetables. The process of crop conversion of the majority of farmers in the area has received the companionship and support of the Transaction Office of District Social Policy Bank, contributing to helping farmers increase their income and improve their lives./.
By Le Ngoc – Translated by Duc Tam
