Forestry land allocation: Many suggestions from practice

Many proposed solutions for forest land allocation in forestry companies - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

On April 25, 2025, at the workshop "Current status and proposed solutions for forest land allocation in forestry companies" organized by the Department of Forestry and Forestry - Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in coordination with the Vietnam Association of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, many solutions were discussed to improve the forest land allocation policy, towards sustainable development of Vietnam's forestry sector.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri, after 30 years of implementing the contract policy, forestry companies nationwide have contracted 458,000 hectares of land, accounting for 27% of the total managed forestry land area. This policy has brought about positive changes, effectively mobilizing social resources, especially the participation of local people, forestry companies and forest management boards. As a result, forest management and protection have been improved, land resources have been used more effectively, and at the same time contributed to socio -economic development and improved people's lives in localities.

However, the implementation of the contract policy also revealed many limitations. Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, pointed out that current regulations on contract recipients, limits, contract terms, as well as the rights and responsibilities of the parties are not really suitable to reality. These shortcomings stem from many causes: limited policy propaganda, thin forest protection forces, incomplete land records, lack of strict supervision, and complicated land disputes. In addition, the handling of violations is still confusing, lacking strong enough sanctions, causing difficulties in managing contract contracts.

To address these shortcomings, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 103-KL/TW dated December 2, 2024, directing the continued improvement of institutions and legal documents on land and public asset management to promote the arrangement, innovation and improvement of the operational efficiency of agricultural and forestry companies. Previously, on September 10, 2024, the Prime Minister also issued Directive No. 33/CT-TTg, emphasizing the implementation of the Politburo's conclusions in this field. These documents create an important legal corridor for localities and forestry companies to deploy more effective solutions.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

Mr. Nguyen Van Tien proposed that the policy mechanism should be adjusted in a more flexible direction. For the land area that has been assigned or leased for management rights to forestry companies, the company should be proactive in implementing business measures in accordance with the law. Regarding the contracting work, the state needs to issue a general policy framework, but details such as the contracting method, contract content, rights and obligations of the parties, profit sharing method, as well as handling of violations should be agreed upon by the company and the contracting household, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Law. This will help minimize practical shortcomings and increase autonomy for the parties involved.

At the same time, management agencies need to strengthen inspection, examination, and guidance on land management, issuance of land use right certificates, and handling of contract disputes, land encroachment, and illegal joint ventures. Agricultural and forestry companies also need to develop plans for land management and use when returning them to localities, ensuring settlement of residential land and production land for ethnic minorities, in conjunction with social security policies.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Ngai, Chairman of the Vietnam Forest Owners Association, emphasized the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the provinces in urging and simplifying administrative procedures to transfer forestry land to local management. Localities need to complete land inventories, count users, develop land use plans, resolve disputes and encroachments, and handle cases of duplicate land use right certificates.

Mr. To Xuan Phuc from Forest Trends Organization believes that the allocation of forestry land not only brings socio-economic benefits but also opens up opportunities to access the export market for agricultural and forestry products and the forest carbon credit market. However, to realize this opportunity, the existing problems in land use, especially in the form of allocation, need to be thoroughly resolved. This includes completing legal documents, clarifying the rights and responsibilities of the parties, and strengthening management to minimize violations.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/giao-khoan-dat-lam-nghiep-nhieu-goi-y-tu-thuc-tien-102250425120950013.htm