Helping farmers is not just about delivering fish to the countryside; it is more important to teach people how to fish

“Bringing books to the countryside,” “bringing medicine to the countryside,” “bringing science and technology to the countryside,” “bringing science and technology to the countryside,” and other activities are being carried out in full swing across all regions of the country. The content of all kinds of “bringing to the countryside” activities is dazzling. After “bringing to the countryside,” what are the results?

“Bringing books to the countryside”: villagers in a certain area were not interested in most of the books, and no one borrowed them, so the village had no choice but to move them to a warehouse, where they were covered in dust. “Bringing science and technology to the countryside”: some villagers reported that although the training classes were held and everyone came, first, they did not understand, second, they did not learn, and third, they did not put it to use.

On the road to building a new socialist countryside, the author believes that bringing resources to the countryside is not just about “bringing”; what is more needed is for local governments to effectively implement the work of “bringing to the countryside” in a practical way.

First, preliminary research must be sufficient. Valuing investigation and research is our Party's treasured tradition for doing leadership work well. When relevant departments carry out “bringing to the countryside” activities, they should not treat “bringing to the countryside” merely as a task to be completed. Instead, on the basis of comprehensive and in-depth research, they should decide “what to bring to the countryside” according to the actual needs of rural areas. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Investigation and research are the foundation for planning matters and the way to accomplish things. Without investigation, there is no right to speak, still less the right to make decisions.” To study problems, formulate policies, and advance work, one cannot act like the man in the story who marked the boat to find a lost sword, cannot build a cart behind closed doors, and certainly cannot indulge in wild fantasies. Comprehensive and in-depth investigation and research are essential. Relevant departments in all localities should find the best point of connection between the goodwill of policies and the expectations of the people; otherwise, they will waste effort without pleasing anyone. They should be demand-oriented, take practical measures, seek practical results, and do practical things.

Second, implementation in the middle stage must suit the individual. By rights, “bringing science and technology to the countryside” and “bringing culture to the countryside” are of great significance to the economic, civilized, and harmonious development of the new countryside. However, just as villagers reported, although the training classes were held and everyone came, they neither understood nor learned, and still less put it to use. For these “bringing to the countryside” trainings that produce no real results, relevant departments still need to reflect on “how” to bring things to the countryside. “Bringing to the countryside” must bring things that ordinary people can understand, learn, and use, things that are “down-to-earth.” Whether the effect of going to the countryside is good or not is weighed in the villagers' own hearts; it is by no means determined by the number of trips to the countryside, the number of trainees, or how many materials were distributed. Rather, one must look at how much was truly “retained.”

⟦NL> Furthermore, later-stage services must remain enduringly “fresh.” With “bringing medicine to the countryside,” “bringing science and technology to the countryside,” and “bringing culture to the countryside,” once the training is done and the materials are distributed, they pack up and return home. After they leave, what should be done if someone gets sick? What should be done if problems arise with the technology that was brought over? This kind of “ship-passing effect” approach truly wastes people and money, yet treats only the symptoms and not the root cause. When the ship arrives, the water is lively for a while; once the ship passes, the water is just as it was before. Therefore, “bringing to the countryside” should give people “fishing” rather than merely giving “fish.” Practical effectiveness and durability are the key issues that must be solved.

The work of “bringing to the countryside” must rely on a sound working mechanism to ensure that it achieves real results. The masses are the fairest judges, and practical actions must be used to achieve results that satisfy the masses. “Vanity projects” and “number games” are merely fleeting flashes in the pan. It is necessary to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech on “Three Stricts and Three Steadies.” Only by seeking practical things for ordinary people can ordinary people truly gain real benefits and live good lives, and only then can ordinary people truly be satisfied.