During the 2024-2025 winter-spring season, many households in Ho Cang, Ho Luông 1, and Ho Luông 3 Villages were thrilled to earn extra income from potato cultivation. With over 2 hectares of potatoes harvested, they earned nearly VNĐ 300 million.

In Lay Nưa, potato cultivation in the winter season not only generates income but also contributes to shifting the crop structure and increasing economic value per unit of cultivation. According to Mr. Mào Văn Chỉu, Head of Ho Luông 1 village, thanks to the new-style rural program, some households received support for seeds and fertilizers when participating in the potato-growing model during the 2023-2024 winter-spring season. By applying effective potato care techniques, they achieved high yields. In the recent winter-spring season, even without further support, the households proactively maintained their potato cultivation area to increase their income.

The residents of Lay Nưa are not only actively engaged in agricultural production but also participate in various community projects. The achievement of these projects is a direct result of the tireless efforts of local authorities and the unity and support of the people. A notable example is the donation of land for road construction and cultural houses.

From 2023 to present, the residents of Lay Nưa have contributed over VNĐ 70 million and provided labor for the construction of over 2km of roads leading to fields.

Recalling the early days of building new-style rural areas, Mr. Khoàng Văn Tiện, former Secretary of the Lay Nưa Commune’s Party Committee, shared: “In 2011, Lay Nưa began joining hands in the new-style rural area building program. At that time, it only met 3 out of 19 criteria, and the average annual per capita income was only VNĐ 13 million. Notably, after the resettlement for the Sơn La hydropower project, the situation of land scarcity and job creation for people of Lay Nưa became even more challenging. Consequently, meeting the two key criteria of “income” and “multidimensional poverty” posed significant challenges”.

With the motto “solid from the grassroots level”, the Mường Lay Town’s authorities have paid special attention, directed, and accompanied the officials and people of the whole commune to overcome difficulties.

The local Steering Committee for new-style rural area building program was established, with clear tasks assigned to each member. They went to the villages to direct, guide, grasp the situation, encourage, and help the locality overcome difficulties.

By setting specific objectives and implementation roadmaps, after more than 14 years of focusing on building new-style rural areas, Lay Nưa has overcome challenges with solid steps. By 2017, Lay Nưa officially met the new-style rural standards and was recognized as the first advanced new-style rural commune in the province in 2022.

Ms. Lò Thị Thanh Nhàn, Secretary of the Lay Nưa Commune’s Party Committee, underlined that the advanced new-style rural commune represents a higher level of development compared to a standard new-style rural commune, with criteria that require deeper development. Therefore, not being satisfied with the achievements, Lay Nưa continues to strive to consolidate and improve the quality of the criteria. One of the key tasks is to effectively use investment resources to build infrastructure and support production.

From 2023, various projects have been invested in the commune, including over 4km of new internal roads and 2 new water supply projects, with a total investment of over VNĐ 7.5 billion. In addition, the commune has supported the development of Mông chicken breeding, cinnamon cultivation, and medicinal herbs, with a total investment of over VNĐ 3 billion.

Notably, in 2023 and 2024, the commune supported the construction of 58 new houses in highland villages. These completed houses have brought joy and motivation to local people. The poverty rate in Lay Nưa decreased from 12.06% in 2023 to 8.4% in 2024.

The village has become more prosperous, civilized, and united, with improved material and spiritual living standards. These achievements are the driving force for the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Lay Nưa to strive for further development and prosperity.