Planting millennium trees both protects forests and increases income

Son Kim 1 Commune, Ha Tinh Province has forest and forestry land accounting for 96% of the total natural area of the commune. With that characteristic, in order to do a good job of protecting and developing forests, in the past 2 years, the local government has mobilized people to grow medicinal herbs under the forest canopy, notably planting the Millennium tree - a precious medicinal plant in traditional medicine.

Clearly identifying the role of upstream forests and to get rich from forests, with 9 hectares of natural forest assigned for care and protection, at the end of 2024, Mr. Nguyen Cong Tuan in Khe Nam village, Son Kim 1 commune, Ha Tinh province actively planted millennium trees. Currently, his family's 9 hectares of natural forest have been covered with millennium trees and the trees are growing and developing well.

People and experts check the growth of the millennium tree.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Tuan excitedly said: “Assigned by the government to protect the forest, we are determined to protect this green resource. With the policy of the superiors, we have planted medicinal plants, especially the millennium tree, to increase income and better exploit the benefits of the forest. More importantly, this medicinal plant also contributes to building a green vegetation to prevent soil erosion.”

Like Mr. Tuan, many households in Son Kim 1 commune, Ha Tinh province, after receiving protection and care for natural forests, have planted millennium trees. This is a medicinal plant that the province encourages to grow and is supported with 10 million VND/ha according to Resolution 51/2021 of the Provincial People's Council. People have cooperated with Bao Lam Company Limited in supplying seedlings, providing technical guidance and consuming products.

Millennium plants grow well in cool, moist, shady conditions.

The Millennium Tree is a precious medicinal plant that can grow well in shady, cool, moist conditions, so it is very suitable for planting under the forest canopy. Planting Millennium Tree under the forest canopy brings many outstanding advantages such as: effectively utilizing the forest land area, contributing to diversifying the livelihoods of people in mountainous areas, while preserving and developing indigenous medicinal gene sources. In addition, Millennium Tree also helps protect the soil, limit erosion, increase economic value per unit area, towards sustainable forestry development.

Mr. Tran Quang Trung - Deputy Head of Huong Son Forest Protection Department said: "Growing medicinal herbs under the forest canopy shows a change in people's thinking. Previously, when talking about forest economy, people only focused on forest products in the forest, but now, they know how to increase income from non-timber forest products".

Planting millennium trees to build green vegetation and prevent erosion.

Up to now, Ha Tinh has planted more than 1,200 hectares of millennium trees, concentrated in the communes of Son Kim 1, Son Kim 2, Son Hong, Son Tay. Of which, Son Kim 1 has planted the most with a total area of nearly 600 hectares. This is an easy-to-grow and easy-to-care-for tree. After 3 years, it can be harvested in batches, and after 5 years or more, it can be harvested en masse. According to calculations, each hectare can bring in an income of 45-50 million VND, much higher than many other crops. Planting millennium trees also helps forest products in the forest grow better because before planting, people will have to clear vines and bushes.

Talking about the technique of planting the millennium tree, Mr. Le Duc Long - technical officer, Bao Lam Company Limited (Ha Tinh) said: "The millennium tree is a tree that likes moisture and shade, so it is necessary to choose an area under the canopy of natural forests or planted forests with a coverage of 60-70%. The planting distance is 2-2.5m. Planting the millennium tree combined with forest protection helps people have income from non-timber forest products to improve their lives."

Regarding the future direction, Mr. Tran Quoc Hoang - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Kim 1 Commune added: "The millennium tree is easy to grow, low cost and especially suitable for local natural conditions, so we continue to encourage people to expand the area. This helps people better protect the natural forest area that has been assigned. This is considered the most effective solution to take advantage of forest resources".

Planting millennium trees under the forest canopy in Son Kim 1 by households is the right direction in forest protection and development. This not only helps people improve their income from the forest but is also an important solution to preserve valuable genetic resources, develop the medicinal industry and preserve the forest ecosystem, improving the economic efficiency of the forest.