Promoting the role of village chiefs in poverty reduction – vietnamnews.vn

Report on Local Leadership’s Role in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Lai Châu Province

1. Introduction: Localizing SDGs through Community Leadership

In the ethnic communities of Lai Châu Province, village heads serve as critical agents for localizing and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These trusted leaders act as a bridge between state policy and community action, translating national objectives into tangible local outcomes. Their leadership in economic transformation is proving instrumental in advancing key SDGs, particularly those related to poverty, economic growth, and sustainable communities.

2. Case Study: An Agricultural Transformation Model in Ná Đon Village

Quàng Văn Mán, the head of Ná Đon Village, exemplifies this leadership role. He initiated a successful agricultural diversification project by converting nearly two hectares of land to melon cultivation. This initiative serves as a powerful model for achieving sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Direct Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

The initiative has yielded significant results, directly contributing to several SDGs:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): The model generated an annual income exceeding VNĐ150 million (US$5,700) for the lead household and directly assisted four other households in escaping poverty.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The project created stable employment for six workers with a monthly income over VNĐ6 million ($228) and seasonal work for up to 19 individuals, promoting inclusive and sustainable local economic growth.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By shifting to high-value, high-yield crops, the model enhances economic access to food, thereby improving food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

3. Knowledge Transfer and Community-Wide Replication

The success of the initial model was amplified through effective knowledge sharing, a key component of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The village head actively transferred skills and provided technical support to fellow residents, leading to widespread adoption of the new agricultural model.

Key Replication Outcomes:

1. Peer-to-Peer Training: The village head provided direct support in seeds and cultivation techniques to community members, such as Lò Văn Đẻ, who successfully converted over one hectare of land.
2. Model Scalability: Dozens of households within Pu Sam Cáp Commune have replicated the model, converting approximately 10 hectares of land from low-efficiency crops to high-yield melon cultivation.
3. Enhanced Livelihoods: The transition has led to demonstrably higher incomes and improved economic stability for all participating families, reinforcing progress towards SDG 1 and SDG 8.

4. Strategic Integration into Local Development Policy (2025-2030)

The Party committee of Pu Sam Cáp Commune has formally recognized the pivotal role of local leaders in its 2025-2030 development strategy. The plan institutionalizes the use of these community-led models to achieve broader development objectives.

Strategic Pillars:

• Mainstreaming Local Leadership: The strategy leverages the influence of 36 recognized village heads and trusted persons to drive socio-economic transformation across the commune.
• Targeting Sustainable Poverty Reduction (SDG 1): The restructuring of crop and livestock production is identified as the primary economic driver for achieving sustainable poverty reduction.
• Achieving National Development Targets: Local economic growth is aligned with the income criteria of the national target programme on new rural development, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

As stated by Deputy Chairman Ngô Văn Lâm, village chiefs are an essential factor in transitioning to higher-yield agriculture, thereby ensuring the commune meets its goals for sustainable income growth and poverty reduction.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article’s central theme is poverty reduction in ethnic communities through economic development and increased income, directly aligning with the goal of ending poverty in all its forms.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses transforming agricultural practices by switching from less efficient crops to higher-yield ones like melons. This relates to improving agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable food production systems.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The initiatives described lead to job creation (both regular and seasonal), increased family incomes, and overall economic development for the community, which are core components of SDG 8.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The focus on ethnic communities and empowering them through local leadership and economic opportunities addresses the goal of reducing inequalities within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article explicitly mentions efforts to “reduce poverty,” help households “escape poverty,” and achieve “sustainable poverty reduction.”
2. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers. The article details how farmers converted land to melon cultivation, which “brought practical results and increased the family’s income” and achieved “high yields with less work.”
3. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The shift from traditional crops to a new melon cultivation model, learned from the internet and other provinces, represents local-level diversification and innovation.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men. The article highlights the creation of “regular jobs for six workers” and “seasonal jobs for 15-19 workers,” directly contributing to local employment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several specific quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Income Levels: The article specifies income figures that serve as direct indicators of economic improvement.
  • Annual income from the new cultivation model: “earning over VNĐ150 million (US$5,700) annually.”
  • Monthly income for regular jobs: “income over VNĐ6 million ($228) per month.”
  • Daily income for seasonal jobs: “daily income of about VNĐ200,000 (roughly $8) per person.”
• Poverty Reduction Rate: A direct measure of poverty alleviation is mentioned.
  • Number of households lifted out of poverty: “helped four households escape poverty.”
• Job Creation: The number of new employment opportunities is clearly stated.
  • Number of regular jobs created: “regular jobs for six workers.”
  • Number of seasonal jobs created: “seasonal jobs for 15-19 workers.”
• Agricultural Transformation: The scale of the shift to more productive agriculture is quantified.
  • Area of land converted to the new model: “nearly 2ha” by the village head, “over 1ha” by another family, and “about 10ha” in the whole commune.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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