Developing large timber forests

Expanding the area of large timber forests to better exploit the potential and advantages of the forest, and increasing people's income, has been identified as one of the key solutions to promote sustainable agricultural and forestry development in the 2021-2025 period according to the plan of the Provincial People's Committee. Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture and localities are implementing comprehensive solutions to achieve the set goals for large timber forests.

Forest rangers are guiding people in Tan Son district in planting and transforming forests into large-timber forests, thereby increasing the economic value of forestry.

With nearly 190,000 hectares of forest and forestry land, accounting for over 50% of its natural land area, including 123,000 hectares of planted forest, Phu Tho has great potential and advantages for developing large timber trees. Developing large timber forests will help proactively create a source of raw materials for the local timber processing industry as well as for export. Compared to planting small timber forests, the profit from large timber plantations is many times higher, depending on the harvesting age and tree diameter. Applying the large timber forest planting model has many outstanding advantages over the old methods, especially in terms of economic efficiency.

The provincial plan for the development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in the period 2021-2025 sets a target of cultivating 2,200 hectares of large timber forests annually. By 2025, the total area of large timber forests in the province will reach 20,000 hectares, including 10,000 hectares of concentrated production areas linked to enterprises processing wood products for export. Forest productivity is projected to reach 17 m³/ha/year, with timber production reaching 810,000 m³ by 2025. The average annual growth rate of added value in the forestry sector is 3.3%, and income from planted production forests is expected to increase 1.5 times per unit area compared to 2021.

To achieve the set goals, the province has directed various solutions to be implemented at all levels, sectors, and localities. With the aim of expanding the planted area, the Forestry sector and localities have effectively implemented programs and policies supporting sustainable forestry development from the central and provincial governments, with particular emphasis on encouraging the planting and conversion of large timber forests; and promoting and mobilizing people to proactively expand the area of large timber trees. In addition, ensuring the productivity and quality of large timber forests; and ensuring the quality of seedlings, planting techniques, and care have also been effectively implemented by specialized agencies in coordination with local authorities.

Currently, localities throughout the province are actively promoting the expansion of forest plantations and the conversion of forests to large timber trees. For example, in Yen Lap district, to encourage households to switch to large timber tree plantations, the district has issued directives on forest management, protection, and development. Mr. Phan Thanh Phuong, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the district, stated: For the 2020-2025 term, Yen Lap continues to prioritize the development of large timber trees, specifically outlined in Resolution 42-NQ/HU, dated April 12, 2021, of the District Party Committee on the development of hill and forest economy, focusing on large timber trees, medicinal plants, and fruit trees. In particular, the district has focused on disseminating information to households about the economic benefits and environmental protection of planting large timber forests, as well as the province's policies on mechanisms to support large timber forest planting in the area... As a result, to date, the entire district has planted and converted over 1,300 hectares of large timber forests, achieving 110.5% of the Resolution's target.

In Tan Son district, the planting and conversion of large timber forests has been a priority. In 2024, the district completed the planting of 900 hectares of large timber forests in its communes and towns, bringing the total area of large timber forests in the district to 4,600 hectares. With the involvement of the province, specialized agencies, and local authorities, the goal of developing large timber forests has achieved many important results. Currently, the area of large timber development in the province has reached 18,900 hectares, achieving 94.5% of the target for 2025 (intensive large timber forest planting: 15,300 hectares, conversion of planted forests for large timber production: 3,600 hectares). The planted forests are growing and developing well.

To leverage advantages and expand the area of large timber raw materials, the province continues to implement existing support mechanisms. According to Mr. Truong Quang Dang, Head of the Forest Development Department, Forest Protection Sub-Department, the Forest Protection Department advises and strengthens guidance and support for granting sustainable forest certification to large timber forest areas that meet the area requirements to enhance the economic value of forestry, as well as encourage forest owners, forest planters, cooperatives, and forestry cooperatives to promote the expansion of large timber forest models. In coordination with local authorities, they transfer and train people on techniques to effectively implement intensive cultivation processes for large timber forests, while also focusing on forest protection, fire prevention, and firefighting. They also advise people to use seedlings of clear origin and quality to improve the productivity and quality of planted forests.

Comment (0)