Smart Village projects launched in 44 villages

The Smart Village projects are expanded in 44 villages this year, said Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe during the coordination meeting on socio-economic development programmes in the first six-month term of 2022-2023FY held on 26 October.
The project will cover 44 villages in 42 townships of respective regions and states.
The Union minister added that the projects aim to promote the vocational sectors of rural people and it should prioritize the activities that improve the rural manufacturing industry. It will develop local products-based businesses through increasing incomes and job opportunities.
Seventy per cent of the population lives in rural areas and the living styles of rural people will be modern lifestyles when the villages develop.
The project intends (1) to raise the standard of residents by developing village infrastructure, (2) to uplift the rural economy by providing agrochemicals, financial services and technology, (3) to create ideal villages that are friendly to the environment and pleasant to live and (4) to bring sustainable development by increasing the capacities of village associations and villagers.
The department concerned will implement the Smart Village projects using the 2022-2023FY budget in six sectors – village infrastructure development, the providing of agrochemicals and financial services, vocational development and village economy, technical assistance to strengthen associations, social protection and environmental conservation.
Moreover, there is also a budget estimate for the 2023-2024FY and the operations will be implemented continuously, according to Rural Development Department. —TWA/GNLM