Increase the area of forests certified as sustainable

The planted forest in Ba Che commune meets the criteria for sustainable forest certification. Photo: Viet Hoa

In Ky Thuong commune, the formation of concentrated production forest areas has brought about remarkable results. In the period 2020-2024, the area of concentrated forest plantations in the commune reached over 5,300 hectares, with an average of more than 1,000 hectares newly planted each year, far exceeding the set target. Of which, over 2,100 hectares of forest have been boldly converted by people from simple acacia plantations to high-value native tree species such as lim, giổi, lát, cinnamon, etc. In particular, the commune has coordinated with businesses to grant FSC sustainable forest certification to over 6,200 hectares of production forest of more than 630 households...

Mr. Khieu Anh Tu, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ky Thuong Commune, affirmed: Over 6,200 hectares of forest being granted sustainable certification is considered an important turning point, helping local wood products to access demanding markets, ensuring international environmental standards.

If Ky Thuong commune is a typical example of crop restructuring, Ba Che commune (formerly Ba Che district) is mentioned as the "capital" of certified forests in Quang Ninh with over 16,200 hectares of forest meeting FSC and PEFC standards. Participating in certification, households, cooperatives and businesses in the commune are supported 100% of implementation costs, assessment costs; supported with output of forest products during annual assessments; supported with access to loans from credit institutions for forest planting. In particular, the forest area after certification will have all products purchased by the units, ensuring stability, according to market prices, in which the price of large timber of sufficient quality is guaranteed to increase by about 15-20%, equivalent to 200,000-300,000 VND/ton.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (Ba Che commune) shared: "Since the family's forest area was certified in June 2024, the entire 7 hectares of forest have been signed by the enterprise to consume products, which has helped us feel secure in taking care of the forest long-term. Thanks to training to improve awareness and techniques, we now know how to take care of acacia according to the correct process, measure and evaluate wood reserves. With the acacia planting cycle extended to 7 years, the family expects the yield to reach 160-180 tons/ha, 2 times higher than the old planting method before".

The Provincial Agricultural Extension Center surveyed and selected points and households to participate in the organic production model in Luc Hon commune.

Not only expanding the certified forest area, Quang Ninh also focuses on forming an organic non-timber forest raw material area, contributing to increasing the value of products. In Luc Hon commune, with an area of nearly 40 hectares of So forest distributed in low-slope hills and mountains with favorable soil and climate conditions, So tree has become the main non-timber forest product species bringing high economic value to the people here. In order to create quality products, gradually forming a raw material area that meets standards and is assessed and certified as organic, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center (Department of Agriculture and Environment) has built an organic production model in the commune with a scale of 2.5 hectares. On July 28, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center coordinated with HKB Trading and Service Company Limited to organize a training course for 30 households inside and outside the model. Households were given an overview of organic agricultural production, instructions on certification processes, appropriate farming techniques, and how to identify factors affecting product quality.

According to statistics, after 5 years of implementing Resolution No. 19-NQ/TU dated November 28, 2019 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on sustainable forestry development in Quang Ninh province to 2025, with a vision to 2030, the area of forests certified for sustainability in Quang Ninh has increased from 15,000 hectares (in 2020) to over 36,300 hectares. This figure not only reflects the efforts of people and businesses but also shows the effectiveness of the province's mechanisms and policies. Most recently, at the 29th Session (regular session in mid-2025), the Provincial People's Council passed Resolution 59/2025/NQ-HDND stipulating the level of support for forestry investment with a total budget of more than 112 billion VND/year. Notably, the resolution provides support of VND400,000/ha for each sustainable forest management plan that is developed and certified. This is the foundation for forest owners, cooperatives and businesses to access international markets, especially Europe and North America, markets with strict requirements on traceability and sustainability. Thereby, moving towards realizing the goal set by the province by 2030, there will be an additional 20,000ha of production forest certified for sustainable forest management.

Increasing the area of certified forests and expanding the organic production model not only helps to increase the income of people in the forest areas but also makes an important contribution to the green economic development goal of Quang Ninh. More importantly, forests that meet FSC and PEFC standards, together with organic raw material areas, also ensure the maintenance of biodiversity, protect the environment, minimize the impact of climate change, thereby contributing to the implementation of sustainable development goals.

Hoang Nga

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/gia-tang-dien-tich-rung-duoc-cap-chung-chi-ben-vung-3375932.html