EVALUATION OF MODEL NEW RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN CÙ BỊ COMMUNE, CHÂU ĐỨC DISTRICT, BÀ RỊA – VŨNG TÀU PROVINCE

EVALUATION OF MODEL NEW RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN CÙ BỊ COMMUNE, CHÂU ĐỨC DISTRICT, BÀ RỊA – VŨNG TÀU PROVINCE

EVALUATION OF MODEL NEW RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN CÙ BỊ COMMUNE, CHÂU ĐỨC DISTRICT, BÀ RỊA – VŨNG TÀU PROVINCE

Đặng Thị Lan Anh

Phạm Nguyễn Dao Chi

University of Forestry, Đồng Nai Province Campus

Phùng Trung Thanh

University of Forestry

Lê Đức Thành

Châu Đức District Land Registration Office Branch

Abstract:

The study was conducted to evaluate the results of the model new rural development (NRD) in Cù Bị commune. The NRD results up to 2023 were collected and compared according to the model NRD criteria set implemented in the province. 96 rural households in the commune were also surveyed using a Likert scale to objectively assess the effectiveness of the NRD results.

Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient and Corrected Item – Total Correlation coefficient were respectively greater than 0.7 and 0.3, demonstrating the reliability of the scale. The results indicated that the commune had successfully completed the NRD results and brought overall satisfaction to rural residents. However, limitations in communication work, understanding, participation, and income improvement of rural residents regarding the NRD results were also noted. Additionally, the improvement of IT application in healthcare for the elderly was recommended..

Keywords: model new rural development, satisfaction, Cù Bị commune, Likert scale.

I. INTRODUCTION

Cù Bị is a commune in Châu Đức district with 2,569 households and an area of 4,735.65 hectares. Of this, agricultural land accounts for more than 91% of the natural area. The agricultural sector plays a leading role in the commune’s economic development. Most of the residents here still face many difficulties.

New rural development (NRD) is one of the important policies for comprehensive rural and agricultural development. Upon completing NRD, residents will enjoy many benefits and an improved quality of life. Therefore, after achieving the enhanced NRD in 2021, the commune continued the model NRD and received recognition at the beginning of 2024.

Besides the achieved results, there are still limitations in the NRD process. To ensure objectivity, evaluating the results and satisfaction levels of rural residents regarding the model NRD in Cù Bị commune is essential. This contributes to improving quality, ensuring sustainability, and effectiveness in the Program’s development.

II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1. Data Collection Methods

Primary data were collected in March 2024 using survey questionnaires administered to randomly selected households representing the villages of Việt Cường, Hiệp Cường, Đồng Tiến, Đồng Tâm, Phước Chí, and Chòi Đồng in Cù Bị commune. The survey focused on residents’ satisfaction with the results of new rural development (NRD) using a Likert scale. A total of 96 households (16 households per village) were surveyed in Cù Bị commune, achieving a reliability of 90%. The number of households to be surveyed was calculated using Yamane’s formula (1973) [5] (1):

Where:

– N: Total number of households in the commune

– n: Number of households to be surveyed

– e: Allowable error (e = 0.1)

Secondary data related to the model NRD results of the commune were collected from relevant departments and agencies, including information on natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, and results of achieving advanced and model NRD criteria. Additionally, data were collected from scientific studies and official information published in reports, books, documents, and other databases.

2. Data Analysis and Processing Methods

After collection, secondary data were compiled and compared according to the criteria of Decision No. 409/QD-UBND on issuing the criteria for model new rural development (NRD) communes for the period 2022 – 2025, implemented in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu province.

To measure opinions, attitudes, or behaviors, the Likert scale proposed by Rensis Likert (1932) [1] is a commonly used method. In this study, the scale was used to evaluate the satisfaction of rural residents with the results of model NRD in Cù Bị commune. The survey consisted of 15 questions (observed variables), each with one of five answer choices, ranging from “Very dissatisfied” to “Very satisfied”. The average rating of the variables on the scale was calculated using SPSS 26 software, with the following value ranges:

1.00–1.80 – Very dissatisfied

1.81–2.60 – Dissatisfied

2.61–3.40 – Neutral

3.41–4.20 – Satisfied

4.21–5.00 – Very satisfied [4].

Reliability assessment was conducted to evaluate the close correlation between the observed variables on a scale to jointly explain a concept. In this study, the reliability of the Likert scale was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient and Corrected Item – Total Correlation, with the help of SPSS 26 software. Data were considered reliable when the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient varied between 0.60 – 0.95 and the Corrected Item-Total Correlation coefficient was ≥ 0.3 [2].

3. Expert Method

Opinions from experts, local officials, and relevant departments concerning the results of model NRD in Cù Bị commune were collected to understand the difficulties, causes, and suitable consultation solutions to improve the effectiveness of the Program in the commune.

III. RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. Results of Model New Rural Development in Cù Bị Commune in 2023

To achieve model new rural development (NRD) standards, Cù Bị commune had to meet two requirements: firstly, the commune had to achieve advanced NRD standards for the period 2022 – 2025; secondly, the commune had to meet three model NRD criteria implemented in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu province.

According to the report [3], by 2023, Cù Bị commune had completed all 19 criteria of advanced NRD for the period 2022 – 2025. The outstanding results are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Outstanding results of advanced NRD according to criteria in Cù Bị commune

From the data in Table 1, it is evident that over the past three years, Cù Bị commune has successfully completed new rural development (NRD) with many high results, such as: 100% of inter-commune, inter-village, and inter-group roads have been concreted and asphalted, meeting the travel and production needs of the residents; 96.8% of households achieved cultural standards; and school facilities have been upgraded.

Additionally, by the end of 2023, the commune had achieved 3/3 model NRD criteria, specifically: (1) The average income per capita was 10% higher than the income level for the advanced NRD period of the previous phase; (2) Two smart village models, Hiệp Cường and Phước Chí, met the prescribed standards; (3) Three outstanding fields include: Education, Culture, and Security and Order.

Overall, the model NRD program has contributed to transforming the rural landscape of Cù Bị, thereby creating a positive foundation for increasing the satisfaction of its residents.

2. Evaluation of Residents’ Satisfaction with Model New Rural Development

Evaluating residents’ satisfaction with model new rural development (NRD) can be seen as a reflection of the program’s objective quality. According to the Likert scale, survey data were collected and analyzed (Table 2).

Table 2. Results of residents’ satisfaction evaluation with model NRD in Cù Bị commune

To measure the reliability of the scale, the Corrected Item-Total Correlation coefficient for each observed variable was analyzed and presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Corrected Item-Total Correlation coefficient values for each observed variable

The data in Figure 1 show that all variables have Corrected Item-Total Correlation coefficients greater than 0.4. The Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for the Likert scale was also calculated and reached 0.83. Therefore, the results meet the reliability requirements, and the survey data can be used to evaluate the satisfaction levels of rural residents with model NRD in Cù Bị commune.

The data in Table 2 shows that the “Very satisfied” level, with an average score of 4.21 and above, pertains to the following contents: Traffic safety; Culture – Sports; Access to information on digital technology applications; Education at all levels; and Local security and order.

The survey indicates that, since the installation of surveillance cameras on main roads and the dissemination of enhanced traffic safety policies, residents’ compliance has improved.

Residents also actively participate in Cultural – Sports clubs, such as folk dance, football, and chess, for physical and mental benefits. Movements like “All people unite to build a cultural life,” “All people protect national security,” and “Building model new rural residential areas” are increasingly embraced by the community.

In addition to the “Very satisfied” evaluation, residents also rated most model NRD results in the commune as “Satisfied.” However, the average score of less than 3.70 still applies to: Understanding NRD criteria, Participation in NRD, General communication work, Household income, and the use of online services in remote healthcare support.

This indicates higher expectations from residents for better information access from the commune’s general communication work to enhance understanding when participating in the Program. It was found that some residents still face limitations in acquiring information and proactively participating in NRD.

Additionally, other difficulties have been noted. Specifically, because most agricultural land in the commune is managed by Bà Rịa Rubber Joint Stock Company, the remaining land for residents is limited and fragmented. This has led to challenges in developing key crops and livestock, affecting residents’ income growth. For elderly residents, using online healthcare applications on smartphones is still relatively new and difficult.

3. Solutions to Improve the Effectiveness of Model New Rural Development

To enhance the effectiveness of model new rural development (NRD) results in Cù Bị commune, several recommendations are proposed as follows:

– First, continue diverse and rich forms of propaganda to improve residents’ understanding and proactive participation in NRD.

– Second, keep improving the application of information technology in healthcare for residents, especially for the elderly.

– Third, focus on developing agricultural production to increase residents’ income, specifically:

1. In terms of direction: the commune’s party committee and government should continue to coordinate with the district’s specialized agencies to review and adjust production development plans according to the land and soil conditions of each area.
2. In terms of cultivation: convert some low-efficiency crops to higher economic value crops such as durian, banana, and avocado.
3. In terms of livestock: develop concentrated livestock farming to form value chains with high economic efficiency.

Finally, along with developing agricultural production, local authorities need to continue to pay attention to and facilitate the promotion of small-scale industry production, effective ancillary businesses in the locality, such as industrial production facilities, agricultural product processing enterprises, household furniture workshops, iron and aluminum crafts, and purified ice production.

IV. CONCLUSION

Based on the collected data, by the end of 2023, Cù Bị commune had completed model new rural development (NRD) with outstanding construction results. The satisfaction level of Cù Bị commune residents with the model NRD results, according to the Likert scale, was also surveyed with high reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.83 and Corrected Item – Total Correlation > 0.4). Overall, residents were quite satisfied with the positive results brought by the Program, especially in the fields of Traffic Safety, Culture – Sports, Access to Information on Digital Technology Applications, Education, and Local Security and Order.

However, some existing issues and causes were identified. Therefore, key solutions focusing on communication work, improving online medical services, and increasing income for workers were proposed to enhance the effectiveness of the Program’s results.

The Likert scale has proven effective in measuring rural residents’ satisfaction with NRD results. It should continue to be used in similar studies. Additionally, combining online survey methods could help obtain a larger sample size, thereby increasing the objectivity and reliability of the research results.

References

1. Likert, R. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Arch Psychology, 22(140):55.
2. Phạm Thanh Quế, Bùi Văn Đích, Nguyễn Thị Loan, Trần Thu Hà, Nguyễn Thị Hải (2023). Evaluation of factors affecting residents’ consensus on implementing new rural development planning in Đà Bắc district, Hòa Bình province. Journal of Forestry Science and Technology, No. 3, pp. 167-176.
3. UBND xã Cù Bị (2023). Report No. 294/BC-UBND dated 16/10/2023 by the People’s Committee of Cù Bị commune on the results of model new rural development up to 2023 in Cù Bị commune, Châu Đức district, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu province, pp. 76.
4. Hà Quang Trung, Nguyễn Thanh Hiếu, Ngô Tất Thắng (2020). Residents’ satisfaction with new rural development – a case study in Lào Cai. Journal of Science and Technology, Thái Nguyên University, Vol. 225, No. 07, pp. 455-461.
5. Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis. 2nd Edition, Harper and Row, New York.

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