Yen Do is a pioneer in FSC forest certification.

People in Da Mai hamlet (Yen Do commune, Phu Luong) take care of planted forests.

FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. This is an international non-profit organization established to promote sustainable forest management globally. FSC certified products are recognized in international markets, especially in Europe and North America.

The area of ​​forest certified by FSC will help forest owners exporting wood, boards, etc. to easily export to demanding markets. The value of the products is increased, attracting businesses to purchase at stable prices. In addition, people can easily access and receive technical support from organizations and projects on sustainable forest development, etc.

Mr. Tran Van Thong, Chairman of Yen Do Commune People's Committee, said: Previously, people in the commune planted and exploited forests without complying with regulations, causing environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity... In the past 5 years, realizing the importance of sustainable forest development, the commune has actively coordinated with the District Forest Protection Department to propagate to people to plant forests with a plan; link forest management with people's livelihoods; conduct forest monitoring; encourage people, cooperatives, and businesses to participate in FSC certification... At the same time, it has coordinated with Thai Hung Forest Products Company Limited (an investment unit, cooperating in sustainable forest management in the district) to issue FSC certificates to eligible households.

Khe Nac is the hamlet with the largest production forest area in Yen Do commune, with nearly 700 hectares, of which 125 hectares have been granted FSC certification. Small-scale households have 2-3 hectares of forest, while large-scale households have up to 10 hectares.

Mr. Duong Quy Loi, a resident of Khe Nac hamlet, informed: My family currently has 7 hectares of forest. To get FSC certification, I absolutely do not spray herbicides but use a knife to clear; do not burn the ground cover before planting the forest to protect the natural vegetation layer on the forest surface; plant trees at a density of 2.5m2/tree... Thanks to that, the ecological environment of the forest is always guaranteed; the quality of wood when sold is also increased because the trees are not infested with termites or hollow inside. Currently, on average, after 7 years of planting, I can sell 1 hectare of forest for nearly 100 million VND (15 million VND/ha higher than before).

Not only Khe Nac hamlet but also many other hamlets with large forest areas in Yen Do commune such as Da Mai, Thanh Dong..., people have gradually become aware and take care of sustainable planted forests according to FSC standards. Thereby contributing to bringing a stable source of income for people.

Yen Do Commune currently has 56 wood production and processing establishments, creating jobs for more than 500 local workers. In the photo: Workers of Hung Phat Wood Company Limited processing wood products.

According to statistics from Yen Do Commune People's Committee, on average, each year the locality exploits over 11,000m3 of various types of wood, and at the same time replants over 120ha of forest (exceeding 20% ​​of the resolution set by the Commune Party Congress). The economic value of 1ha of forest reaches 100-120 million VND/ha (after about 7 years of planting). At times, the exploited wood source cannot meet the needs of 56 production and processing establishments in the area.

Also from developing the forest economy in the direction of FSC, in 2024, the average income per capita of the commune will reach nearly 51 million VND/person; the number of poor households will decrease to 44 households, accounting for 2.28% (down 3.82% compared to 2022)...

To achieve the goal of 100% of the planted forest area being granted FSC certification, Mr. Tran Van Thong, Chairman of Yen Do Commune People's Committee, emphasized: We will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies and units to encourage people to plant forests that meet sustainable forest development standards, while expanding the area of ​​large timber forests to improve productivity and quality of planted forests; propagate people to further raise awareness of forest protection, strictly implement regulations on sustainable forest management; promote cooperation with businesses inside and outside the area to ensure stable output for people's wood products...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202504/yen-do-di-dau-trong-cap-chung-chi-rung-fsc-74a11d2/