Standardized afforestation - A practical view

With a total estimated budget of about VND 1,645.8 billion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is developing the "2021-2025 Pilot Scheme to build standard agro-forestry product material areas for domestic consumption and export".

The scheme’s goal is to pilot mechanisms and practices in five concentrated raw material and good areas in eleven provinces (Hoa Binh, Son La, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dong Thap, Long An, Tien Giang, Kien Giang and An Giang) then summarize the experience to replicate effective models nationwide.

Quang Tri and Thua Thien - Hue is among the provinces the scheme aimed at to develop a forest-wood material area qualified for sustainable certifications (FSC, PEFC, VFCS).

MARD Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam couldn’t hide his surprise during his survey trip to Thua Thien - Hue and Quang Tri at the end of November 2021.  

Many models and cooperatives have a clear change in mindset on sustainable afforestation, especially in terms of developing certified large-timber forests.

Thua Thien - Hue has constructed production links along the value chain of certified large-timber forests. This model has been deployed in four districts (Phong Dien, Phu Loc, Nam Dong, A Luoi) and two towns (Huong Tra and Huong Thuy).

Thua Thien - Hue has also signed cooperation agreements with enterprises to consume certified plantation timber products for small-scale cooperatives and afforestation households. The province has successfully established 25 sustainable forestry cooperatives, each with specific and clear production and business plans.

Thua Thien - Hue has also established the Forest Owners Sustainable Development Association (FOSDA) with the function of protecting the legitimate rights and interests of small-scale household forest owners in the sustainable forest business.

At the same time, FOSDA’s task is to encourage forest owners to be more active in standard sustainable forest management practices recognized by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Quang Tri since 2010 has promulgated many mechanisms and policies and cooperated with international organizations to raise awareness on converting the model from afforestation for wood chips to afforestation for large-timber.

As a result, Quang Tri has become the first province in Vietnam to be granted Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Certification according to FSC standards for organizations and households.

Up to now Quang Tri has 22,067 ha of FSC-certified plantation forests and officially establishes an FSC-certified plantation timber consumption chain. Companies with Certificate Of Conformity (CoC) have signed a commitment to underwrite all FSC certified timber output of Quang Tri in general and cooperatives in particular. The underwriting price will be 15 - 18% higher for certified timber over uncertified one.

The whole province plans to develop a large wood material trading area by 2025, reaching 16,700 ha. The trading area will serve as a good platform for forest growers to increase income while also providing the woodworking industry with raw materials for exports.

A link chain for large-timber forests and sustainability-certified forests is under development in Thua Thien - Hue and Quang Tri from the government and people to cooperatives and businesses. Of course, many difficulties and obstacles still exist, but practice shows that this policy has created many breakthroughs in these two localities.

According to the MARD, the "2021-2025 Pilot Scheme to build standard agro-forestry product material areas for domestic consumption and export" is conducted in 184 communes in 50 districts of the provinces above. All selected locations are within the localities’ planning of agroproduction development areas.

Local specialized agencies have reviewed and proposed planting areas suitable for the current planning which bases on the established planting areas instead of developing new ones.

According to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, in order to implement the "2021-2025 Pilot Scheme to build standard agro-forestry product material areas for domestic consumption and export", the MARD is committed to:

- Support the locality in ensuring the infrastructure of the production area;

- Train human resources, improve management, provide tissue culture hybrid acacia for cooperatives to organize production according to the scheme's planning;

- Build a pilot model of insurance support for large-timber plantations, especially FSC-certified areas to limit risks to secure long-term investment on certified afforestation from cooperatives and forest growers;

- Support to connect with businesses in value chain production.