Sustainable forest certification increases the value of Nghe An's bamboo trees

The forest of Pu Duoc village, Dong Van commune was granted FSC certificate. Photo: Q.An

The Lung tree is called the “queen” of bamboos in Vietnam and has great economic value. Que Phong district is the capital of Lung tree in Nghe An. Lung tree products are used to produce high-end handicraft products for export, especially rattan and bamboo products.

The joy for the people of Que Phong is that in June 2021, a non- governmental organization granted FSC certification, with an area of nearly 830 hectares of bamboo. Of which, Dong Van commune has 500 hectares, Thong Thu commune has nearly 330 hectares. According to regulations, after being granted FSC certification, Que Phong's FSC bamboo products can be exported to European countries, and the purchase price of bamboo for forest owners will be increased.

bna_lung 2.jpg — People in Dong Van and Thong Thu communes (Que Phong) are interested in FSC certification for sycamore forests. Photo: Q.An

Mr. Luong Thai Quy - Chairman of Dong Van Commune People's Committee, expressed concern that bamboo is a strong product for the locality, bringing significant income to the local people every year. When the NGO granted FSC Certificate, the locality hoped that this would be a significant income source for the local people, contributing to the implementation of income criteria in new rural construction.

bna_lung 7(1).jpg — People in Que Phong district harvest bamboo shoots. Photo: Xuan Hoang

"The locality's wish is to have businesses provide financial support, together with the locality and people, to maintain the FSC certificate. The commune has also disseminated to forest owners about the work of re-evaluating the current status of mangrove forests to maintain the FSC certificate and has received the attention of forest owners," said Mr. Luong Thai Quy.

Mr. Vi Van Tam in Pu Duoc village, Dong Van commune, owner of 7.3 hectares of sycamore forest that has been granted FSC certificate, said that due to good management, the sycamore forest has grown more and more, the trees are bigger, straighter and more beautiful... His family has also realized the meaning of FSC certificate, so when the State implements it, the family is ready to support it.

Mr. Phan Trong Dung - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Que Phong district said: The goal of FSC certification is to produce bamboo forests according to the process from planting, caring to harvesting, without destruction. Accordingly, bamboo products are exported to European countries. However, due to difficulties in exporting, the purchase price of bamboo products with FSC certification is not high.

bna_lung 3(1).jpg — Most of the forest area of Que Phong district is located on the banks of Hua Na Hydroelectric Reservoir, so after harvesting, boats must be used for transportation. Photo: Xuan Hoang

"The area of lung forest granted FSC Certificate is supported by the NGO for the first 2 years in assessing and maintaining the certificate. Accordingly, the extension period of FSC Certificate for the lung forest of Que Phong will expire by the end of 2023. Currently, the district is coordinating with businesses and forest owners to come up with solutions to maintain the certificate to create opportunities to increase the value of lung products and for forest owners to have more income," said Mr. Phan Trong Dung./.

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