To better understand poverty reduction through economic development from forests, we had a discussion with Mr. Ngo Minh Que, Chairman of Bao Thang District People's Committee (Lao Cai) about this issue.
Reporter: Sir, in the past time, what solutions and support mechanisms has Bao Thang district, Lao Cai province implemented to protect and develop forests to increase income and create livelihoods to help people feel secure in their attachment to the forest?
Mr. Ngo Minh Que: Bao Thang district is a lowland district of Lao Cai province, the main area planned for production forest development is hills. Currently, the district has over 37,000 hectares of forest, of which 25,000 hectares are planted forests. People have experience in forest development. This is an advantage in developing the hill forest economy in the district in the spirit of Resolution 10-NQ/TU of the Lao Cai Provincial Standing Committee.
Implementing Resolution 10-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee; the plan of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee on developing commodity agriculture: Bao Thang District focuses on directing and promulgating the plan for developing the forest and hill economy for the period 2022-2025; assigning tasks to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Forest Protection Department, People's Committees of communes and towns to implement:
Instruct and propagate seed source owners to take good care of and protect seed forest areas that have been recognized by competent authorities. Strictly manage forestry seed production and trading establishments to ensure that 100% of produced seeds have clear origins and are recognized by competent authorities.
Direct the Forest Protection Department, People's Committees of communes and towns to propagate to people to replant forests after exploitation; convert ineffective agricultural production areas to large timber forests, multi-purpose trees for economic development; seedlings used for forest planting must have clear origin and meet standards; Instruct people to take care of forests and prevent pests and diseases that harm forest trees.
Directing the implementation of the policy of paying for forest environmental services to the right subjects and in sufficient areas. In 2022, 2.6 billion VND was disbursed for forest areas managed by the Protection Forest Management Board, Commune People's Committees, and individual households.
Implement the development of forest product processing facilities in accordance with the approved planning for the period 2021-2025. Call for and prepare clean land to create an open investment environment for businesses to invest in building factories; encourage investment in deep processing technology lines: such as the Vietnam Cinnamon Company building a factory in Phong Nien commune. In the coming time, continue to encourage and create conditions for businesses to deeply process cinnamon essential oil, plywood... to create jobs for local people to help reduce poverty.
PV: It is known that one of the important solutions in protecting and developing forests associated with sustainable poverty reduction is developing forest economy. Could you please tell us more about this work?
Mr. Ngo Minh Que: In recent years, thanks to the development of the forest economy, the poverty rate of Bao Thang is only 3%, the annual forest coverage rate of the district has increased, the forest environment has been constantly improved, and workers have a stable income from the forest economy. On average, each year, in Bao Thang district, the production forest area increases from 600 - 800 hectares; the forest coverage increases on average from 0.6 - 1.0%.
By the end of 2022, the district's forest coverage will reach over 63%. The output of timber exploitation from planted forests will reach about 13,000 m3/year, providing abundant raw materials such as planks, veneer, formwork, furniture, etc. for domestic consumption and export. According to the district's orientation, collectives, households and individuals choose plants that have a short growth cycle and bring high economic efficiency such as fat, cinnamon, bodhi, sua and some multi-purpose species such as rubber trees.
The policy of land and forest allocation has been implemented synchronously in the spirit that each person is a subject of forest economic development. Land and forest allocation to organizations, households and individuals for stable and long-term use has attracted a large number of people in the district to participate in planting and protecting forests.
There have been many forest garden economic models with high economic value, creating more jobs for workers, strengthening environmental protection, contributing to promoting economic development, hunger eradication and poverty reduction. Typically, some models in the communes of Tri Quang, Xuan Giao, Thai Nien, Son Ha, Son Hai, etc., thanks to afforestation combined with farm economy or the model combining garden - pond - forest for stable income, creating jobs for some local workers. In 2022, the average income of people in Bao Thang district is 68 million VND/person/year.
Reporter: To continue managing, protecting and developing forests associated with economic development from forests to help people escape poverty sustainably, what key solutions will Bao Thang district continue to implement in the coming time, sir?
Mr. Ngo Minh Que: We always identify forest management, protection and development, economic development associated with forests to help people escape poverty as one of the key tasks of the district. Therefore, in the coming time, the district will continue to promote propaganda for people to actively participate in forest protection and planting. Improve the effectiveness of coordination with units, functional agencies, police and border forces in the area, resolutely not to let violations occur that cause damage to forest resources. Strengthen the responsibility of contracted units and forest protection households in patrolling and controlling the area, promptly detecting violations in the management area.
Along with promoting forest planting and care, Bao Thang district will strengthen forest protection, propagate the Law on Forest Protection and Development to people and forest owners in many forms such as: Distributing leaflets, hanging billboards, posters; organizing people to participate in forest fire prevention and fighting drills; building conventions and village covenants to protect forests, signing commitments for households not to cut down forests for farming. To raise people's awareness in forest protection.
Promote the synchronous implementation of the Land and Forest Allocation Policy in the spirit that each person is a subject of forest economic development. Land and forest allocation to organizations, households and individuals for long-term stable use has attracted a large number of people in the district to participate in planting and protecting forests.
In addition, enterprises investing in developing the forest economy associated with forest product processing will create conditions for land lease, licensing of operations, and planning of raw material areas. Create conditions for Xuan Giao Forestry Processing Factory and 75 small and medium-sized forest product processing establishments in the district to develop production to consume forest products for the people. Focus on solving problems related to support policies for people in planting forests after investment, policies on benefiting from forest products for households planting, caring for and contracting to protect forests.
In particular, we will proactively propose policies to care for and create conditions to improve the lives of forest-protecting households so that they can confidently perform their assigned tasks. Invest in building infrastructure and purchasing necessary equipment to serve the management and protection of forest resources.
Thank you very much!
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