Neixiang allies with UNDP in sustainable development

Neixiang county in Nanyang is set to join hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to create a sustainable development demonstration zone.

The zone comes as a result of Neixang's "5+" poverty alleviation model which has been formally recognized by the UNDP, and which serves as a good example of how poverty can be combated across the globe.

Talks were held among the UNDP, Neixiang government and Muyuan Food, to discuss deeper cooperation in eliminating poverty and hunger, as well as promoting Neixiang's successful experiences in South–South Cooperation – a platform for the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge between developing countries.

Located in the Qinba mountainous area, Neixiang is one of the most poverty-affected places in the country, with 15,228 households and 39,136 residents living below the poverty line. While the total population of the county is 730,000, the arable land per capita is less than 1 mu (0.07 hectares).

Yang Shuguang, head of Neixiang county, detailed the "5+" model and its achievements during the talks. The concept, which brings government, leading enterprises, banks, cooperatives and impoverished households together to tackle poverty, enables residents to have a stable source of income in the long term without taking any risk.

In collaboration with Muyuan Food and the Henan branch of China Development Bank, the county has all the impoverished residents in Neixiang benefitting from the model. Given its achievements, "5+" has been promoted in seven provinces and 15 counties across the country.

According to Cao Zhinian, vice general manager of Muyuan Food, the company has always paid close attention to eliminating poverty. It looks forward to working with the UNDP to carry out comprehensive poverty alleviation projects and learn about advanced international anti-poverty ideas.

UNDP was shocked to learn that the original company of Muyuan Food started with just 22 pigs, and after just a few years' development, it now has subsidiaries in 53 poverty-stricken counties in 13 provinces across the country.

UNDP is an international organization dedicated to global development. It unites developing countries to share knowledge, experiences and resources and help people build a better life. Working in some 170 countries and territories, UNDP helps them end poverty, protect the planet and seek prosperity.

After reaching consensus to build a UN Sustainable Development Demonstration Zone, the three sides held in-depth discussions on how to push forward the integration of Neixiang's poverty relief work and UN's sustainable development goals. According to the UNDP, it will visit Neixiang and conduct an inspection on the project in the near future.