Attraction from FSC forests

FSC certificate is a certification used for forest managers or manufacturers of forest products that ensure sustainable development criteria, balancing environmental (forest) protection values with social, and economic benefits of stakeholders (manufacturers, society, and local people).

FSC certification is recognized by FSC (a non-governmental, non-profit organization) after assessing and certifying a country's forest resources. There are currently 3 types of FSC certification: FMC (Forest Management Certificate), CoC (Chain of Custidy Certificate), FSC-CoC/CW (FSC-Chain of Custody/Control Wood) Certificate.

FSC helps save forest resources, enhance economic value, and increase the value of products and commodities. According to statistics from FSC, products made by workers have a monetary value 20 - 30% higher than other products of the same type. It helps reduce waste in improper use of forest resources.

Currently, the planted forest area certified for sustainable forest management (FSC) in Tuyen Quang province is over 48,318 hectares (the second province in the country regarding forest area granted FSC forest certification). To have these forests, the province has paid special attention to the management, protection, and development of forest capital and economic development, gradually improving the lives of forest workers and forest workers who live near the forest.

Mr. Ninh Van Lin, Director of Tien Huy Agricultural and Forestry Production Cooperative, said that when implementing FSC forest certification, the Cooperative faced many difficulties. Especially the advocacy and explanation so that people understand what FSC is and how FSC forests will benefit people. However, authorities at all levels always accompany us, so the implementation is smooth.

In 2018, the first forests in Tien Bo commune, Yen Son district of Tien Huy agricultural and forestry production cooperative were granted FSC certification. The Cooperative has more than 1,500 hectares of certified forest, with more than 600 households participating. The Cooperative is also the leading unit in Tuyen Quang province regarding certified forest areas.

Determining sustainable forest management and FSC forest certification is one of the essential solutions in improving the value of forestry production, so from 2015, Tuyen Quang province began piloting the development of forest certification according to standards. FSC World Forest Stewardship Council standards. Participating in the sustainable forest certification program according to FSC standards, farmers in Tuyen Quang have learned how to protect the environment when planting and taking care of forests and how to approach new farming techniques according to international standards. forests increase quality, yield, and wood value per unit area.

However, granting FSC forest certification in Tuyen Quang province still has certain difficulties. The process of changing awareness for forest owners and people in forestry production activities is still limited. The forest area of many households is still fragmented and small when participating in sustainable forest management, and FSC forest certification has not brought high economic value. It has not attracted many people to participate in sustainable forest management.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Manh, My Loc village, Phu Thinh commune, Yen Son district, one of the pioneers in planting forests according to FSC standards in the village, said that in the past, his family also participated in planting but paid little attention to quality. Seedlings and care techniques result in low productivity and unstable selling prices, often forced by traders. From 2015 until now, after registering for afforestation according to FSC standards, more than 10 hectares of his family's forest have been strictly managed and cared for according to proper techniques, and the trees have grown faster. The planting, care, and exploitation cycle lasts 7 to 10 years instead of 5 years as before. Mr. Manh also regularly checks and promptly checks dead trees to ensure the area and density of the planted forest.

Developing large timber forests and forests according to standards is an inevitable trend of the current period. This is also one of the important tasks set by Tuyen Quang in the strategy to develop the sustainable forestry industry. Accordingly, for the 2020-2025 term, the Tuyen Quang Provincial Party Committee, term XVII, issued Resolution No. 36-NQ/TU dated June 36, 2021, on sustainable forestry development for 2021-2030.

According to this Resolution, the province sets a target of an average growth rate of forestry production value of 10%/year; develop a large timber forest area of more than 89,000 hectares; Timber output reached more than 5.5 million m3; Expanding the FSC sustainable forest management certification area to more than 90,000 hectares; Develop and implement an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sustainably manage forest resources, conserve and increase forest carbon reserves in the province to participate in the domestic carbon market and international.