Lam Dong province led the way with 18 qualified communes, followed by Gia Lai with 10 communes.
The region has been investing trillions of VND to build new-style rural areas in recent years. In 2014 alone, some VND24.2 trillion (US$1.14 million) was invested, of which only VND649.4 billion came from the fund of the national target programme in the field, while VND1.1 trillion was donated by enterprises and local residents and VND18.6 trillion was sourced from loans.
Local authorities have done good work in raising funds from all economic sectors, with many local residents contributing not only money, but land and working days to the programme.
Under the programme, farmers have successfully built some 1,045 production models, particularly in cultivation, breeding and aquatic farming, helping to expand the scale of farming production while facilitating the application of advanced agricultural technologies, thus improving regional living standards.
In 2015, the Central Highlands region targets to have at least 40 more communes earning the “new-style rural area” title.
The national target programme on new-style rural areas was initiated by the Government in 2010, which sets 19 criteria on building infrastructure, improving production capacity, constructing public works, protecting the landscape and environment, and promoting local traditions and cultural identities, among others.
