The Government is funding a project to assist 150 M'nong ethnic minority families in Dak Nong Province in the Central Highlands to return to two villages they abandoned in 1975. The Tuy Duc District People's Committee is giving each of them 400sq.m of housing land, a small house costing VND30-VND40 million, and two hectares of agricultural land in Bu Prang 1 and 2 villages in Quang Truc Commune. They used to live there until 1975 before moving out and closer to the centre of Quang Truc. But with an increase in population in recent years, many of them faced a shortage of agricultural land and wanted to return to their old villages. With the VND100 billion ($4.7 million) it received from the Government, the district People's Committee is also building infrastructure in the two villages like asphalt roads, electricity and water supply, clinics, kindergartens, and primary schools. It has also provided financial support for the households to grow macadamia on 170ha. Seedlings are expected to be provided by the end of this month. It has begun to reclaim the eight-hectare Dac Huyt 4 field to provide more farm land to the families. Some of the families have already moved back to the two villages where the infrastructure is likely to be ready by year end. (Vietnam News Jul 13)
