U Minh Ha during the lean season

The U Minh Ha forest area is not only famous for its historical significance during the two wars against foreign invaders, but it was also once considered a "difficult land," especially during the lean season. However, it is now experiencing strong development.

• U Minh Ha is fascinating during the flood season.
• Poverty-alleviating trees in U Minh Ha
• Precious products of U Minh Ha

Effective livelihood models

From the center of Ca Mau province, it takes less than an hour by car to reach Route T19 – the buffer zone bordering U Minh Ha National Park . Once one of the most difficult areas in the U Minh Ha forest region, especially during the lean season, the road is now lined with well-built houses. Behind them are vast fields of water spinach, fish ponds, and melaleuca forests, creating a lush green landscape that not only paints a bright picture of the U Minh Ha region but also provides a stable income for the local people.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Nguyen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of An Hoa Water Spinach Cooperative (Hamlet 14, Khanh An Commune), shared: "The model of growing water spinach combined with raising freshwater fish has brought quite high economic efficiency in recent times. Not only does it help landowners increase their income, but the model also creates stable jobs for local laborers. Currently, the cooperative has 104 members participating in the model."

The water spinach plant provides a high income for people living along the T19 route in Khanh An commune.

To enhance the value of the water spinach plant and meet current market demands, the An Hoa Water Spinach Cooperative is implementing various solutions to improve quality, packaging design, and diversify products derived from water spinach.

“The cooperative always prioritizes quality, using biological products throughout the cultivation and care of the water spinach. Currently, the products have logos, QR codes, and complete usage instructions on the packaging,” Mr. Nguyen Chi Nguyen added.

Not long ago, the T19 area was a difficult region due to severe soil acidification, resulting in inefficient rice cultivation. Many households were unable to survive and had to sell their land and seek livelihoods elsewhere. However, the area has now undergone a significant transformation, with a thriving economy and a newly constructed 3.5-meter-wide concrete road, opening up opportunities for trade and development for the local people.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ai (Hamlet 14, Khanh An Commune) happily shared: “On the banks, we plant coconuts and bananas; in the water, we grow water spinach and raise freshwater fish... When the economy stabilizes, people have the means to invest in raising mangroves and hybrid acacia trees to increase the value of forest trees. Thanks to that, houses are becoming more and more spacious.”

The raised-bed forest planting model helps to increase forest productivity.

The forestry economy is thriving, opening up avenues for sustainable development.

Khanh Lam commune has approximately 780 hectares of forest land, mainly planted with melaleuca and acacia hybrid trees. Mr. Tran Viet Hong, Secretary of the Party Branch of Hamlet 22, said: "Forest trees bring in a considerable income, helping 130 households in the hamlet escape poverty. Thanks to their high economic value, people have shifted to planting and protecting forests better, and are actively implementing forest fire prevention and control measures."

Forest fire prevention and control efforts during the dry season are being seriously implemented by forest owners and local people.

Currently, the price of forest trees is high: 1 hectare of Australian Melaleuca costs about 150 million VND; hybrid acacia ranges from 350-400 million VND/hectare. Under the forest canopy, income from bananas, fish, honey, etc., helps stabilize the lives of the people. Furthermore, the province is also investing in and improving the transportation infrastructure within the forest area, making it increasingly well-connected.

As one of the leading units in the development of forestry economics in the U Minh Ha forest area, the U Minh Ha Forestry Company Limited has implemented many solutions to enhance the value of forest trees. According to Mr. Do Van Dong, Deputy Director of the company, the unit is strengthening the application of science and technology to improve the quality of forest wood, planting large timber forests, FSC-certified forests, and inviting capable businesses to create stable outlets for wood products...

Currently, U Minh Ha Forestry Company Limited is applying science and technology to seed production in order to enhance the value of forest products.

During the war, the U Minh Ha forest suffered heavy damage from bombs and bullets. After liberation, this area continued to face countless difficulties due to soil acidification and harsh natural conditions. However, with a spirit of overcoming difficulties, the people persevered in rebuilding their homeland. Today, vast forests have been reforested, along with straight concrete roads and modern houses springing up one after another. U Minh Ha is becoming a land rich in potential, not only economically but also contributing to environmental protection, climate change adaptation, promoting green growth and sustainable development in the new era.

Nguyen Phu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/u-minh-ha-mua-giap-hat-a127823.html