Gia Lai Province welcomes investment projects in forest plantation

Third highest forest coverage rate in the Central Highlands

Gia Lai Province currently houses 649,997 hectares of forest, including 478,687 hectares of natural forest area and 171,310 hectares of planted forest area. The province currently boasts a forest coverage rate of 40.95%. This rate is lower than the national average of 42.02% and ranks third in the Central Highlands, behind Kon Tum at 63.69% and Lam Dong at 54.37%.

In 2023, the production value of Gia Lai’s forestry sector reached 520 billion VND, which is an increase of 30.32% compared to 2020. Between 2021 and 2023, the province's forestry sector achieved several notable results.

Among these achievements, forest plantation efforts have received the focused attention of local authorities, forest owners, and residents. Accordingly, they have selected tree species suitable for different land conditions, with strict control over seed sources to facilitate traceability. As a result, the quality and productivity of local planted forests have significantly improved. Notably, the province planted 24,325 hectares of forest between 2021 and 2023.

Additionally, Gia Lai province has implemented various measures, including natural forest regeneration and reforestation efforts, with a focus on consistency and effectiveness. To date, the province's overall coverage rate (including timber-based industrial crops and multi-purpose trees) stands at 47.33%, a 0.63% increase from 2020, whereas the forest coverage rate has reached 40.95%.

Nearly 3,500 hectares of forest area in Gia Lai Province have received a certification for sustainable management; and 16 out of 34 forest management agencies have received approval for their sustainable forest management plans. According to assessments by provincial authorities, the management, protection, and development of forests in Gia Lai have overcome challenges to begin recovery and development. On the other hand, the province is gradually developing its forestry sector into a technical-economic sector that attracts investment resources. Consequently, it aims to address livelihood issues for communities residing near forest areas.

Gia Lai Province has designated over 723,000 hectares of land area for forestry development planning, with forested land accounting for 631,281 hectares (including 478,820 hectares of natural forest and 152,470 hectares of planted forest). The province's combined forest and timber-based industrial crop coverage rate is 47%. Gia Lai also has the largest forest area in the Central Highlands, accounting for 25.2% of the region’s total and 4.3% of the national total.

Comprehensive project implementation

In addition to enhancing the management of local forest areas and forestry land according to the approved plans, Gia Lai is focusing on forest development, promoting social forestry, and encouraging all economic sectors to participate in sustainable forest development.

With the goal of achieving a forest coverage rate of 47.75% by 2025 and over 49.2% by 2030, Gia Lai is prioritizing attracting investment in forest plantation projects from non-state funding sources.

Four ongoing forest plantation projects

Among the 24 currently-funding investment projects for the years between 2023 and 2025, Gia Lai province has initiated four forest plantation projects. These projects include a combined forest plantation and livestock production project in Chu Rcam Commune (Krong Pa District), a similar project in Kim Tan Commune (Ia Pa District), and two production forest plantation projects in Dak To Ver and Ia Khuol Communes (Chu Pah District).

The forest plantation and livestock production project in subzone 1319 of Chu Rcam Commune (Krong Pa District) spans nearly 963 hectares, with the Chu Rcam Protection Forest Management Board as its primary project owner. Accordingly, this project complies with Decision No. 527/QD-UBND, issued by the Provincial People’s Committee on August 23, 2021, which approved the review and adjustment of forest categories until 2025, with a vision towards 2030. Additionally, it falls under the provincial land use planning until 2030 and the 2023 land use plan for Krong Pa district.

Similarly, the forest plantation and livestock production project in Ia Pa district is currently implemented in subzones 1153 (Po To Commune), 1171 (Chu Rang Commune), and 1172 (Kim Tan Commune), with a total area of over 2,300 hectares. Accordingly, 652 hectares fall under the management of Po To commune, 896 hectares under Chu Rang Commune, and 752 hectares under Kim Tan Commune. The initiative is evaluated as complying with the three forest types classification plan until 2025, with a vision towards 2030.

On the other hand, the two production forest plantation projects located in subzone 207 of Dak To Ver Commune and subzone 197 of Ia Khuol Commune (Chu Pah District), with a total area of over 640 hectares, are under the management of the Northeast Chu Pah Protection Forest Management Board. These projects are consistent with Chu Pah District’s socio-economic development strategy and the province’s forest classification plan. Another production forest project in subzone 205 of Ia Khuol commune, which spans over 247 hectares, is under the management of the North Bien Ho Protection Forest Management Board. However, the project is currently located on non-forested land.

Targeting a forest coverage rate of 49.2%

According to the Gia Lai Province's Department of Planning and Investment, the province aims to achieve a forest coverage rate of 47.75% by 2025 and over 49.2% by 2030. With the aim of meeting these targets, Gia Lai is focusing on attracting non-budgetary investments in forest plantation projects to promote sustainable forestry development, increase forest coverage, and enhance climate resilience.

Investment approvals for 35 agro-forestry projects

To date, approximately 35 agricultural and forestry projects in Gia Lai have received investment approval decisions or investment registration certificates, with a total capital of over 2,600 billion VND.

Minh Anh Nguyen Gia Lai Co., Ltd., located in the border district of Ia Grai, has received recognition for effectively implementing its production forest plantation project. According to the company's representative, Truong Dinh Vinh, the project has a total investment capital of nearly 31.3 billion VND. The company is responsible for planting and managing 468.9 hectares of forest, which consists primarily of hybrid acacia and Litsea glutinosa trees. The estimated timber output after a seven-year cycle is projected to range between 150 and 200 cubic meters per year.

“When we began the project, we received substantial support from the local governments and provincial departments. We expect to begin harvesting 2027 and replanting in 2028,” Vinh noted.

According to Dinh Huu Hoa, Deputy Director of the Gia Lai Province's Department of Planning and Investment, the Department regularly provides investors with direct information, investment promotion activities, and access to investment databases via the province’s electronic information portal. Consequently, the Department expects this initiative to facilitate the implementation of projects.

“The province will also conduct reviews, offer guidance, and engage in dialogues with each investor and project owner that are facing challenges. A handbook outlining the investment process for non-budgetary projects will be issued to ensure consistency, transparency, and public access. Additionally, we will continue administrative reforms, digital transformation, and implement measures to improve the PCI, PGI, PAPI, and PAR indexes, thereby enhancing the local business and investment environment,” Deputy Director Hoa added.