Dong Nai Province near HCM City will spend VND28.56 trillion (US$1.4 billion) to upgrade infrastructure and improve living standards in rural areas by 2015, its Peoples Committee has said.
It is part of the National Target Programme on Building New Rural Areas to develop disadvantaged areas across the country.
Three-fifths of the amount will come from the provincial government, and the rest from businesses and individuals.
The programme seeks to asphalt all village roads, strengthen irrigation systems in 61 communes, and supply electricity to all households in 115 communes.
The improvements will enable the province to increase the per capita income by 50 per cent over 2010.
Xuan Loc District has been selected as a model for the rest of the province. Here, authorities have encouraged farmers to switch to crops in demand, like red-flesh dragonfruit, to ensure sustainable incomes and placed more focus on industry and traditional handicrafts.
The district also plans to expand farming of lucrative produce like clean vegetables and mangoes grown to GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards.
The use of efficient irrigation systems will be expanded to cover more land under pepper.
The province has earmarked VND27 billion ($1,3 million) for developing infrastructure, education, and health care in the communes, and has received another VND20 billion ($972,000) from the central Government.
(Source: VNS)
