Policy credit in Gia Lai: Greening hope on red land

Social Policy Bank's capital contributes to improving the lives of ethnic minority households in Gia Lai province

The red dirt roads leading to the Gia Lai border area, which were previously deserted and bumpy, have now been widened and paved smoothly through forests of rubber, coffee, pepper, cashew, and rice. The newly built, spacious houses of the Gia Rai, Ba Na, and Muong ethnic groups, and the bustling trucks carrying dried cassava, coffee, and pepper, are proof of the development of this southern “fence” area. Village elder Siu Hlim in Ia Dom commune, Duc Co district was also surprised by the rapid change of his hometown and could not hide his joy: “It is truly miraculous, more miraculous than the forest god, the mountain god. I remember the days when hunger and poverty persistently clung to every household, throughout the villages on the border belt. Now all have been pushed back thanks to the help of the Party, the State, all levels, all sectors, especially the Social Policy Bank (SPB) which has brought preferential capital to the commune People's Committee headquarters for very convenient and quick loans…”. Ms. Kpuih H'joi, residing in Sung Kep village, Ia Kla commune, is a clear example of the positive change in production development and improving living standards. Thanks to a loan of 80 million VND from the SPB of Duc Co district, her family has invested in planting and taking good care of 3 hectares of cashew trees and repairing a solid house. Now, her children are fully educated, and she also saves money.

Policy credit capital not only promotes economic development but also contributes to improving the status of ethnic minority women. Ms. Ro Cham Awunh, Mrong Yo 1 village, Ia Ka commune, Chu Pah district has realized her dream of starting a business with the Organic Jrai Ialy coffee brand, creating jobs for women in the village thanks to a preferential loan of 70 million VND.

Ms. Ro Cham Awunh happily shared: “Since learning about the policy loan program and receiving the Women's Union's propaganda, my husband and I have had more motivation to invest in the Organic coffee model. Thanks to the loan, I have had initial success. I plan to connect with women in the village to develop this economic model.”

According to Ms. Ro Cham H'Ken, President of the Women's Union of Ia Ka Commune, Chu Pawh District, many members of the commune were previously hesitant to borrow capital to develop the economy because they were worried about not being able to repay the debt and lacked direction in using capital effectively. However, thanks to active propaganda, most women now clearly understand the loan process and are bold in investing in production and developing the family economy.

The story of poor households and ethnic minority families rising out of poverty in the Gia Lai basalt red soil area has affirmed the role of policy credit capital. Through investigation and review, the multidimensional poverty rate (according to the poverty standard for the period 2021-2025) in Gia Lai province decreased from 12.09% (in 2021) to 6.06% (in 2024); it is estimated that it will decrease to 4.04% in 2025. Accordingly, in the period 2021-2025, the poverty rate is estimated to decrease by an average of 2.01%/year, achieving the target of the Resolution of the 16th Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025.

Preferential capital is used effectively by people

Gia Lai Social Policy Bank transactions at commune

Proud to be a close companion of disadvantaged villages and poor households, policy beneficiaries throughout the red basalt land of the Northern Central Highlands, Mr. Le Van Chi, Director of the Gia Lai Provincial Social Policy Bank, shared: “Policy credit for social security and equity has been clearly identified by local Party committees and authorities and has a unified perception of its role and position. That is the driving force, or rather the “key” to the local sustainable poverty reduction and new rural construction. The province has mobilized the entire political system to participate; focused all resources on implementing programs and projects, especially the Provincial Social Policy Bank has coordinated with departments, branches and organizations to focus on mobilizing financial resources, promptly and safely transferring capital to the right beneficiaries”.

Over the past two decades, especially the last 10 years, Gia Lai has strongly and extensively implemented Directive No. 40/CT-TW of the Central Party Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership over social policy credit. Policy capital flows in this highland have always been unblocked, contributing practically to helping people develop production and business, improving their lives.

By March 31, 2025, the total capital of Gia Lai Provincial Social Policy Bank reached 7,631 billion VND, an increase of 153.5 billion VND compared to the beginning of the year, of which the local budget capital reached 598 billion VND, accounting for 12.5% ​​(including 366 billion VND of provincial budget capital and 232 billion VND of district budget capital).

The policy credit flow between the red basalt land covers a large area of ​​over 15 thousand km, reaching all the way to the villages, reaching 100% of poor households and disadvantaged ethnic minority families. The credit staff has always been persistent, dedicated, and creative in mobilizing, creating capital sources, transferring capital promptly and safely, implementing the motto of "transactions at home, disbursement at the commune"; closely coordinating with socio-political organizations, with the network of Savings and Loan Groups in villages and residential areas, with the system of Transaction Points spread throughout the area, creating the most favorable conditions for people to fully and quickly access preferential capital from the State.

Along with impressive poverty reduction figures, up to now, throughout the village, new houses have sprung up next to green hills and forests, promising a prosperous and abundant life. Contributing significantly to this change, the leaders and people of Gia Lai province acknowledge the contribution of the VBSP through timely transfer, ensuring that preferential capital is used for the right purpose and effectively.

Entering the new phase, to improve the effectiveness of policy credit, Gia Lai Provincial People's Credit Fund continues to make efforts, proactively advise and effectively implement Directive No. 39-CT/TW dated October 30, 2024 of the Central Party Secretariat on improving the effectiveness of social policy credit in the new phase; Promote the emulation movement of good and creative workers, "joining hands with the whole country for the poor", in the immediate future, prioritize resources to "pour" credit capital to each poor household, contributing to improving the lives of ethnic minorities. At the same time, strive to improve the quality of operations and credit quality, maintain the role of a key "key", a "pillar" in the sustainable poverty reduction, contributing to Gia Lai proactively entering a new era - the era of national development.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/tin-dung-chinh-sach-o-gia-lai-phu-xanh-hy-vong-tren-vung-dat-do-162994.html