Effective exploitation of forest resources

In 2024, wood and forest product exports will reach a new record of 17.29 billion USD. However, if we look at forests from a multi-sector perspective, this number will increase exponentially.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan had an interview with the press on the occasion of the beginning of the spring of At Ty.

- As someone who has pioneered the multi-use of forest ecosystems, how do you see the issue of forests becoming an important resource for forest growers, especially in ethnic minority areas?

Minister Le Minh Hoan: When we had the idea, we submitted it to the Prime Minister for approval of the Project on developing the multi-use value of the forest ecosystem and on February 29, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed Decision No. 208/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the Project on developing the multi-use value of the forest ecosystem to 2030, with a vision to 2050 (Project).

FSC-certified planted forest in Nghe An . Photo: Nguyen Hanh

Many localities say that if they grow rice they will be poor, but if they grow forests they will be rich. However, if they want to create a forest economy, they are stuck with the Forestry Law or the problem of converting forest land, etc.

In fact, forests are not only wood but also many indigenous resources under the forest canopy. The forest itself has multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary values. Forests are not only trees, forests are also associated with ethnic people who have lived under the forest canopy for generations. Forest development is not only about planting forests but also about products under the forest canopy, doing business under the forest canopy. Together with the cultures of ethnic people, it will create vitality for the forest.

Supporting ethnic minority people is not only about money and food, but we also need to encourage them to develop the multi-purpose value of the ecosystem under the forest canopy. We need to connect ethnic communities with the forest, it will blend together into a unified entity, not separate that the forest is only for businesses to exploit wood and build hydroelectric power.

- Sir, how will these policies be realized into specific policies?

Minister Le Minh Hoan: Along with submitting the Project on developing the multi-use value of forest ecosystems, the Ministry will also amend Decrees related to the Forestry Law.

Because there were times when we overexploited the forest, there was a policy of closing the forest. However, it is time for us to open the forest. To open the forest, we must change the relevant Decrees so that people can enter the forest and exploit the multi-use values ​​under the forest canopy without destroying the forest ecosystem or losing the forest cover.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan. Photo: Bao Thang

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also submitted to the Government a Decree on Regulations on cultivating, growing, developing and harvesting medicinal plants in forests. In fact, some localities such as Tuyen Quang and Lao Cai have also developed medicinal plants under the forest canopy, but this is still spontaneous. However, we need to aim to develop a medicinal plant economy.

It is necessary to reorganize this community, planting forests combined with growing medicinal herbs under the forest canopy. It is necessary to guide the varieties, cultivation processes, and planting processes so as not to destroy the forest silviculture but also to protect and develop the forest. Not only can they be sold raw but also processed. Ethnic people can cooperate with pharmaceutical companies to develop a value chain of multi-purpose products under the forest canopy.

When I went to the foot of Ba Vi mountain, what impressed me was that many people had fire trucks. This shows that people's awareness has been greatly raised, they understand that only by protecting the forest can they have medicinal herbs to exploit. Perhaps, when we give people "fishing rods" and not just fish, they will participate in protecting the forest. Then, the forest will be exploited, protected and conserved. This community strength will not be available to any ranger force or Forest Protection Management Board.

Along with that is the policy of developing tourism under the forest canopy. When doing tourism, all the local resources will become products that people can sell to tourists. At that time, the economic life of the forest will be bustling instead of the previous bleakness.

In this ecosystem, there is a harmony of nature, there are tall trees, short trees, trees with wide canopies, trees with narrow canopies, and even mistletoe. All live in harmony with each other. The lessons of nature return to teach us and from there make people become more honest and better. Obviously, forests bring us both tangible and intangible values.

Developing the multi-purpose value of forest ecosystems is clearly not a story of one or two days but a story of all of us. I have full confidence because with the participation of local authorities in accompanying, supporting, helping people to build development programs and plans, to gradually bring policies into life.

- This year, wood and forestry product exports reached a record number. Can you share more about this as well as the upcoming direction to make this industry an important sector of the country?

Minister Le Minh Hoan: Talking about the era of national development in the forestry sector, Vietnam's wood and wood products exports have reached the top in the world market. However, there are still bottlenecks, that is, the wood processing and export industry is concentrated in the Central and Southeast regions while Vietnam's forest resources are located in the mountainous and midland regions of the North. Transporting wood from this region to the Central and Southern regions is too expensive. Therefore, to fully exploit the potential in the forestry sector, logistics is an issue that needs attention.

Wood is not just wood but also many other products. It is necessary to convey the message that wood represents the image of Vietnam exploiting resources but at the same time protecting resources, thereby contributing to the story of climate change. The story of carbon and climate change has no borders. Developing and protecting forests is also a way for Vietnamese people to contribute to this planet in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Thank you!

Some experts shared that the increase in value of 1.2-1.5 times is because we are thinking in a single industry and not integrating values ​​together. I think that when values ​​are integrated, this industry will grow exponentially, not just at the arithmetic level. At least, forest resources can increase in value not only 2-3 times but also 5-10 times.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/bo-truong-le-minh-hoan-khai-thac-hieu-qua-nguon-loi-rung-371752.html