Employment is the most important need of Qazvin's villages to prevent migration

Qazvin – Qazvin Governor said that village development should not be limited to implementing infrastructure projects; rather, creating job opportunities and social vitality must ensure that populations remain in villages.

Referring to the industrial, agricultural and historical capacities of the province, Mohammad Nozari said on Thursday afternoon at the meeting of Qazvin province managers with the vice president for rural development and underprivileged areas: Qazvin, having vast capacities in the production and food security of the country, along with its economic capabilities, is facing accumulated problems in the rural area, which must be planned in a targeted way to solve them.

Referring to the actions taken in the field of rural development, he added: During the past two years, 185 kilometers of rural roads have been built or improved in the province, and about 2 percent of the President's travel funds have been allocated to this field.

Governor of Qazvin stated that the problems of villages are not limited to roads and infrastructure, and clarified: After the structural changes in the rural system, part of the productive population of the villages have migrated to the cities, and today in some areas, the elderly population constitutes a larger share of the residents. In order to prevent the continuation of this trend, the village economy should be strengthened and stable employment should be provided.

Implementation of water supply and gas supply projects in villages

Pointing to the actions of the province in the area of rural water, Nowzari said: In the past two years, about 302 kilometers of rural water supply network has been implemented and drilling of five wells is also on the agenda.

He stated that the provision of water to the villages of the province is associated with special difficulties, and added: In some areas, well drilling operations have progressed to a depth of about 220 meters, and despite the limitations, the implementation of water supply projects is being followed seriously.

The governor of Qazvin also informed about gas supply to 59 villages in the 14th government and said: With the implementation of these plans, about 6 thousand new subscribers have been added to the province's gas network.

Referring to the participation of various institutions and groups in the implementation of construction projects in the province, he said: the construction of 30 schools with the participation of industries and the implementation of the water transfer plan with the cooperation of related groups are among the measures that have been followed by using non-governmental capacities and inter-departmental partnerships.

Emphasis on employment and social vitality in villages

Nowzari considered employment to be the most important issue of the villagers today and said: Even if roads, schools, water and gas networks reach the villages, without creating job opportunities, the longevity of the population in these areas will not be guaranteed.

He added: The policy of rural development should be such that the villagers can have economic activities in their place of residence and do not have to migrate to earn a living.

The governor of Qazvin also emphasized the need to pay attention to social vitality and cultural issues in villages and said: holding festivals of agricultural products, including walnuts, almonds and grapes, along with cultural and social programs, can help strengthen local identity and dynamism of rural life.

Referring to the tourism capacities of the province, including Mohammad Abad Caravanserai, Alamut historical monuments and Yale Gonbad spa, he emphasized the need to use these capacities for investment and job creation in rural areas.

Pointing to the difference in the conditions and problems of different regions of the province, Nowzari suggested that a separate specialized meeting be held to examine the rural issues of Qazvin with the presence of the Vice President for Rural Development and Underprivileged Regions.

He said: "Some regions of the province are facing special challenges and deprivations, and it is necessary to investigate their issues in a centralized manner and to formulate executive solutions to solve the accumulated problems."

In the end, Qazvin governor pointed to the extensive capacities of the province in the fields of industry, agriculture and tourism and emphasized: the development of villages will be achieved when the infrastructure is placed next to employment, social vitality and the strengthening of the local economy and the possibility of a sustainable life is provided for the residents of these areas.