Signing investment cooperation agreement to grow medicinal mushrooms under the forest canopy

According to the Management Board of the Xuan Loc protection forest, the unit has been assigned the responsibility of managing over 10 hectares of forest and forestry land, primarily planted forests, including over 4,700 hectares of acacia hybrid forest contracted to more than 2,200 households in the Xuan Loc district (Dong Nai). However, the economic value of forest land per hectare is now extremely low, averaging around VND 20-25 million per hectare each year.

The unit has been proactive in researching and using many methods over the last year to assure proper land management while raising revenue and stabilizing the lives of forest producers, but the results have not been as positive as anticipated.

The pilot model of growing lingzhi mushrooms beneath an acacia hybrid forest canopy initially demonstrated positive results, proving suitability for local soil and weather conditions, utilizing available plantation land to supply high-value products to the market, increasing income for forest growers, lowering forest care costs, and creating jobs for local workers...

The arrangement provides for an initial investment of around 230 hectares in an acacia hybrid plantation directly produced by the Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board, followed by an expansion to contract households to plant forests in the district over 20 years.

Participants will be provided with lingzhi mushroom variety, growth techniques, and product consumption... Within eight months, revenue from lingzhi mushrooms planted beneath the forest canopy is expected to reach approximately VND 200 million per hectare, profit approximately VND 70 million per hectare, resolving the livelihood problem for forest growers and bringing numerous practical benefits to the economy and environment, thereby increasing the sustainability of forest management and development.

Mr. Le Van Goi, deputy director of the Dong Nai provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stressed during the signing ceremony that while the province has maintained a coverage rate of around 29.3 percent thus far, it is critical to develop forestry economics to effectively protect and develop forest.

Approximately 100 hectares of special-use protected forest, on the other hand, remain untapped for economic development under the forest canopy. Thus, growing lingzhi mushrooms under clean hybrid acacia trees is a way to diversify forest products, increase economic efficiency, and promote sustainable forests.

The event is viewed as a key to unlocking new opportunities for the Dong Nai forestry sector, establishing the first expectation for the new year as well as the prospect of developing the forestry economy in Dong Nai province, as well as expanding opportunities for rural people's livelihoods to grow and remain stable.