Therefore, on July 29, 2021, the Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU on the development of agricultural and forestry production associated with the construction of new rural areas in Dien Bien province for the period 2021-2025. The resolution resonated with the people; coupled with the decisive and focused leadership of relevant levels and sectors, after nearly three years of implementation, the forest economy in localities has been increasingly effectively "awakened".
Depending on natural conditions, soil, microclimate, various types of forest trees, long-term industrial crops, and valuable medicinal plants have been increasingly planted. From 2021 to the present, 83.5 hectares of cardamom, 165 hectares of Amomum xanthioides, and 206 hectares of hawthorn have been newly planted; 2.3 hectares of medicinal plants (Ngoc Linh ginseng, Lai Chau ginseng) and 544 hectares of cinnamon have been planted and cared for under the forest canopy.
In districts such as Tuan Giao, Muong Ang, and Dien Bien, the area planted with economic forests, macadamia trees, and rubber trees is greening and increasing year by year. In districts like Nam Po and Muong Nha, in addition to protecting and regenerating existing forests, models of planting cardamom and cinnamon trees promise high incomes in the near future.
Most districts are focusing on promoting macadamia tree planting projects. A total of 6,528 hectares have been planted, an increase of 3,889 hectares compared to 2020; of which, 5,961 hectares were planted by businesses and investors. Currently, there are still some obstacles to expanding macadamia cultivation that are being addressed. However, in the long term, macadamia trees will be a lever to help people in the project areas achieve sustainable poverty reduction. Besides bringing high economic value, macadamia projects also contribute to creating jobs for many local workers, preventing people from having to migrate to other areas for work as is currently the case.
Located at the headwaters of rivers, the province's forest area receives payments for forest environmental services. Local people directly benefit from this substantial annual income, leading to increased attention and focus on forest care and protection; they actively participate in planting economic forests and replacement forests.
Transforming potential into economic development advantages, viewing forests as "green lungs" protecting health, preserving the ecological environment, and combating climate change... as a result, the total forested area in the province is estimated at 419,765 hectares, equivalent to a forest cover rate of 44%, an increase of 1.34% compared to 2020.
Besides the achievements, the agricultural sector also reveals many limitations, such as: a relatively high growth rate compared to the country and the region, but lacking sustainability. Production value is not high, production and business organization is still mainly based on small-scale, fragmented farming households, lacking linkages; the quality and efficiency of the collective economic sector and cooperatives have not met expectations...
To go far, we must go together. Therefore, exploiting the potential and strengths of forests requires clear direction from Party committees and governments at all levels, following a specific roadmap. Even with the most dynamic, creative, and enthusiastic people, the exploitation and development of forest-based economic activities often tend to be spontaneous, fragmented, and small-scale. It is essential to have collaboration and linkages between the state, scientists, businesses, and cooperatives to ensure stable markets and outlets for forest products.
This issue has been addressed and emphasized by the province, but the policies to attract investment are limited and unclear, resulting in few scientists and businesses getting involved. For the most part, people have been finding their own markets for the products harvested from forests and medicinal plants under the canopy. This self-sufficiency in production and consumption has led to situations of "bumper harvests but low prices," eroding public trust in the province's forestry and forest-based economic development policies.
Policies to attract businesses and investors to the agricultural sector in general, and forestry in particular, vary. It's possible that some businesses selected to invest in the development of agriculture and forestry in the province have weak financial capacity and professional experience, leading to ineffective operations. Meanwhile, some local businesses with great dedication and responsibility are not selected or given the necessary support, inadvertently losing opportunities to boost the province's agricultural and forestry economy.
Resolution 09-NQ/TU stipulates that the agricultural and forestry sectors will continue to play a very important role in the province's GRDP structure until 2025. Therefore, in addition to encouraging people to feel secure and committed to forests and economic projects such as rubber, macadamia, cardamom, cinnamon, medicinal plants, and fruit trees... following the "small-scale farming" model, it is necessary to focus on developing "large-scale farming" economy. One of the key policies to "do big business" is to create favorable conditions through mechanisms and policies to attract scientists, businesses, and cooperatives to invest and do business. Large-scale production and business, with resolved output issues and market-based pricing, will benefit both people and businesses, thus helping the province increase budget revenue and proactively reinvest resources in social welfare.
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