Forest protection and development contracting under the National Target Program 1719 in Nghe An: Resolving difficulties early will facilitate implementation at the grassroots level.

Nghe An has more than 1.148 million hectares of forest and forestry land, leading the country in terms of area. In reality, the assignment of forest protection to people and communities under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2025 period (National Target Program 1719) is expected to not only protect the existing forest area but also increase the livelihoods of people living near the forest. However, to effectively utilize and promote this resource, there are still many issues that need to be solved. Ngoc Hoi (Kon Tum) is a border district, the whole district has 8 communes and towns; with 17 ethnic groups living, including the local ethnic groups of Brau, Xo Dang, Gie Trieng. In recent years, with the attention of Party committees at all levels, local authorities and investment resources from the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, period 2021 - 2030; Phase I: From 2021 - 2025 (abbreviated as National Target Program 1719), the unique cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in the district have been preserved and promoted. The Ethnic and Development Newspaper respectfully introduces the Joint Communique between Vietnam and Qatar on the occasion of the official visit to Qatar by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh from October 30 to November 1. Many real estate experts still highly appreciate this market because of its geographical potential, natural advantages as well as business support policies. On November 1, at Nha Vi Hamlet, Tran Thoi Commune, Cai Nuoc District, Ca Mau Province, the Ca Mau Border Guard Command (BĐBP) coordinated with Viettel Ca Mau Branch to organize the handover of "Comrade House" to soldiers in difficult circumstances at Rach Goc Border Guard Station (BĐBP Ca Mau). On the morning of November 1, local time, during the official visit program On behalf of the State of Qatar, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex. Ngoc Hoi (Kon Tum) is a border district, with 8 communes and towns; with 17 ethnic groups living, including the local ethnic groups of Brau, Xo Dang, Gie Trieng. In recent years, with the attention of Party committees at all levels, local authorities and investment resources from the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas, period 2021 - 2030; Phase I: From 2021 - 2025 (abbreviated as National Target Program 1719), the unique cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in the district have been preserved and promoted. In recent years, accompanying the Border Guard (BĐBP), the team of prestigious people among ethnic minorities have been actively participating in protecting sovereignty and border security. They are considered "living milestones" in border protection work. The summary news of the Ethnic and Development Newspaper, on October 31, has the following notable information: Tradition and contemporary intermingle at Ninh Binh Festival 2024. So that tourists no longer get lost on Lang Biang peak. People who raise the level of Muong Dong medicinal products. Along with other current news in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Thanks to the effective promotion of ethnic policies, especially the National Target Programs, the consensus of the people, including a team of prestigious people who have actively and responsibly taken the lead in the movements, the socio-economic life of ethnic minority areas in Lang Chanh district (Thanh Hoa) is making significant progress. Notably, the results of poverty reduction and new rural construction are outstanding. Currently, the whole district has only 1 commune and 14 villages in the particularly difficult area. Nghe An has more than 1.148 million hectares of forest and forestry land, leading the country in terms of area. From reality, the assignment of forest protection to people and communities under the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2025 (National Target Program 1719) is expected to not only protect the existing forest area but also increase the livelihoods of people living near the forest. However, to effectively mobilize and promote this resource, there are still many issues that need to be solved. Currently, mobilizing support resources from national target programs, especially the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2030; Phase I: From 2021-2025, many farmers and cooperatives in Son La province have boldly converted to exploiting and processing natural medicinal products. This is one of the new directions, promising to open the way for economic development in the province's ethnic minority areas. In order to reduce early marriage and consanguineous marriage (TH-HNCHT), in recent years, the Education and Training Department of Kim Boi district has strengthened propaganda work on TH-HNCHT, bringing sex education content into schools. From there, raise awareness for students, limit the situation of students dropping out of school to get married. Party committees, authorities at all levels and ethnic minorities in Hau Giang province need to promote self-reliance, self-reliance, love, mutual assistance, trust and join hands, unanimously carry out the tasks in the Resolution Letter, practically make achievements to welcome Party Congresses at all levels, towards the 14th National Party Congress and major political and historical events of the country. This is the proposed opinion that Deputy Minister, Vice Chairman of the Ethnic Minorities Committee Nong Thi Ha spoke at the 4th Congress of Ethnic Minorities in Hau Giang province, 2024, which took place this morning, November 1, at the Hau Giang Provincial Convention Center.

Nghe An provincial leaders inspect forest status in western districts

Double benefits from forest protection contracts under the National Target Program 1719

Implementing Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719; each year, Que Phong district has 54,422.32 hectares subject to payment of forest protection contract fees, forest protection support for families and communities. Of which, the forest protection contract area is 15,906.13 hectares and forest protection support is 38,516.19 hectares; with a total amount of money received of more than 22,609 billion VND.

As one of the households contracted to protect 4 hectares of forest in Hanh Dich commune, Que Phong district, Mr. Vi Van Dai's family was paid 400,000 VND/ha/year according to the implementation standards of Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719.

Mr. Dai shared: In addition to income from forest protection contracts, when the forest is well protected, we have many secondary forest products that can be exploited to increase income. Living off the forest, we must be aware of protecting the forest so that the forest can return to being a source of livelihood for us.

"This year, the budget for forest protection under the National Target Program 1719 has been increased to 600,000 VND/ha/year. This is a great motivation for people living near the forest, living off the forest... to feel more secure with their work," said Mr. Dai.

In Xieng Nua village, Yen Na commune (Tuong Duong district), Village Chief Luong Van Lai said: The Xieng Nua community was assigned to protect the forest, with an area of ​​241.2 hectares; in addition, in Xieng Nua village, there are 252 households that have received a total area of ​​489.6 hectares of forest protection contracted under the funding from the National Target Program 1719. Revenue from forest protection contracts under the support policy of the National Target Program 1719, so people also have an additional source of income to cover their living expenses, making them more secure in forest protection work.

In reality, the implementation of the payment policy for subjects participating in forest management and protection under Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719, not only gradually raises the sense of responsibility of forest owners, increases the number of households contracted to protect forests, but also mobilizes a large human resource for regular forest patrolling and protection; effectively implements forest fire prevention and fighting, and improves the quality of forest environmental services. Thereby, contributing to creating jobs, improving livelihoods, reducing poverty, helping people feel secure in their attachment to forests, contributing to stabilizing political security and social order and safety in localities in mountainous and border areas.

Villagers in Western Nghe An are benefiting from forest protection contract support and forest protection support for households and communities.

According to Mr. Nguyen Danh Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An province, the implementation of payment policies for forest protection participants, such as the support policy under the National Target Program 1719, has had a positive impact on all aspects of life, economy and society of ethnic minority and mountainous people in Nghe An province. The policy has gradually contributed to stabilizing and ensuring forest area, maintaining forest cover, improving forest quality and contributing to improving the quality of the ecological environment.

There are still difficulties that need to be resolved soon.

Implementing Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719, the central budget capital for 2022 was assigned 163,237 billion VND. By the beginning of 2023, 1,267 billion VND had been disbursed, reaching a rate of 1%. For the capital in 2023, it was 616,227 billion VND; including the capital in 2022 extended to 2023, which was 161.97 billion VND, disbursed by January 31, 2024, more than 73,786 billion VND, reaching a rate of 46%; the central budget capital assigned in 2023 was 454,257 billion VND, disbursed by January 31, 2024, more than 22,634 billion VND, reaching a rate of 5%.

As for the capital source for 2024, assigned 459,816 billion VND, it is currently being submitted to the Provincial People's Council for allocation and has not been disbursed yet.

The budget allocated for each year is used to support forest protection for planned forests, protection forests and production forests, which are natural forests assigned to communities and households, with an area of ​​135,032.78 hectares; to support forest protection contracts for State forest areas assigned to protection forest management boards; areas of special-use forests and protection forests assigned by the State to economic organizations; and areas of natural forests directly managed by commune-level People's Committees with an area of ​​116,623.86 hectares.

In fact, the implementation of Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719 is currently facing certain difficulties. Talking to us, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Que Phong district - Phan Trong Dung informed: The funding source to support management, inspection, and acceptance according to Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719 is 7%, then in 2023 it will be fully spent; but in 2024 it has not been spent yet. As for Que Phong district, this content is more than 1.3 billion VND.

Forest protection management forces inspect forest status and fire prevention work in Nga My commune, Tuong Duong district.

"As far as I know, in 2024, according to the provisions of Circular 55/2023/TT-BTC dated August 15, 2023 of the Ministry of Finance, there are no regulations on management, inspection and acceptance costs, so the district does not arrange for communes to make payments," said Mr. Phan Trong Dung.

A report from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An province shows that the progress of disbursement of capital for sub-project 1, project 3, and national target program 1719 is low. The guiding documents are still slow to be issued, so it takes a lot of time to research and implement locally. The amount of money allocated to implement sub-project 1 and project 3 exceeds the actual needs of policy implementation in the districts implementing national target program 1719, so the capital disbursement rate is low.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also pointed out many existing difficulties. That is, there is an overlap in the guidance on the implementation of special-use forest protection contracts of special-use forest management boards between Circular 12/2022/TT-BNNPTNT dated September 20, 2022 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2021 of the Prime Minister; Circular No. 15/2022/TT-BTC dated March 4, 2022 of the Ministry of Finance; Circular No. 55/2023/TT-BTC dated August 15, 2023 of the Ministry of Finance. According to Article 22, Circular 12/2022/TT-BNNPTNT stipulates that the subjects eligible for rice support are poor households that are not self-sufficient in food.

However, at present, the criteria for determining what constitutes a poor household that is not self-sufficient in food have not been specifically defined in relevant legal documents. Nghe An has now applied the criteria as stipulated in Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BKHĐT dated January 10, 2011 of the Minister of Planning and Investment. Through implementation, it can be seen that these criteria have been issued for too long and are no longer suitable.

Currently, in the Decision approving the National Target Program 1719, 6 contents are stipulated to be supported to implement Sub-project 1, Project 3. While the needs of the people and the district authorities, it is necessary to add more contents such as land allocation, forest allocation; support for conversion from small timber plantations to large timber plantations; support for livelihood activities associated with forest protection and development.

The budget for management, inspection and acceptance of forest protection and development items has been stipulated in Circular No. 15/2022/TT-BTC dated March 4, 2023 at 7%. However, currently, according to Circular No. 55/2023/TT-BTC dated August 15, 2023 of the Ministry of Finance, this content is not stipulated, so the units organizing the implementation of forest protection and development items do not have the budget to organize the implementation of the Program.

Regarding solutions to remove difficulties in implementing Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Danh Hung said: Central ministries and branches need to pay attention soon and find ways to remove difficulties so that the grassroots can implement smoothly.

Mr. Hung informed that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An has sent a document requesting the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider and adjust and supplement Circular No. 12/2022/TT-BNNPTNT to ensure consistency with Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2021 of the Prime Minister; Circular No. 55/2023/TT-BTC dated August 15, 2023 of the Ministry of Finance; Consider providing specific guidance on criteria for determining subjects eligible for rice subsidies for localities to apply, that is, all poor households (with a certificate of recognition as poor households by competent authorities) participating in forest protection and development activities in difficult areas of communes in region II and region III are all entitled to rice subsidies, to have a clear legal basis for implementation.

With the Ministry of Finance, the Department proposes to promptly consider and provide additional guidance on management and inspection costs for forest protection and development items (Circular 55/2023/TT-BTC did not provide guidance on spending on this content), so that forest owners and organizations implementing forest protection and development tasks have funding to organize implementation.

The Department also proposed that the Committee for Ethnic Minorities submit to the Prime Minister to adjust and supplement Decision 1719/QD-TTg in the direction of expanding the content of support for the implementation of Sub-project 1, Project 3, National Target Program 1719, including the contents of supporting forest allocation associated with forest land allocation for granting land use right certificates, supporting the conversion from small timber plantations to large timber plantations, supporting natural forest regeneration; supporting livelihood activities associated with forest protection and development...

Nghe An: Initial results from the National Target Program 1719 supporting ethnic minorities with special difficulties

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/cong-tac-khoan-bao-ve-rung-va-phat-trien-rung-theo-chuong-trinh-mtqg-1719-o-nghe-an-som-thao-go-kho-khan-thi-co-so-moi-thuan-loi-thuc-hien-1730200998861.htm