Báo cáo dự án: Sustainable community-based forest development and management in some high-poverty areas in Bac Kan Province ( ATTACHMENT 4 )

ATTACHMENT 4 Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project 017/06VIE - Sustainable community-based forest development and management in some high-poverty areas in Bac Kan Province Report on a Training Course Forest Development for Income Generation 18 June – 21 June 2008 by Khongsak Pinyopusarerk and Tran Thi Thu Ha July 2008 1 Introduction As part of CARD Project 017/06VIE – Sustainable community-based forest development and management in some high-poverty areas in Bac Kan Province, a training course in “forest development for income generation” was conducted for villagers from the four project pilot villages of Na Muc and Khuoi Lieng (Van Minh Commune) and To Dooc and Ban Sang (Lang San Commune) in Na Ri district during the period 18-21 June 2008. In addition to the villagers, commune leaders and representatives from Bac Kan Forest Protection Department (FPD) were invited to attend and contribute to discussion on government policies and regulations related to plantation development. There is an increasing interest in plantations and tree-planting among local communities in Na Ri and elsewhere. The main objective of this training was to raise the awareness of participants on some important technical aspects in plantation establishment in order to maximise the yield and thus income. Non-technical issues such as institution and benefit sharing and government regulations were also addressed so that villagers interested in this venture have a better understanding of government policies and regulations on plantation development. The course was conducted jointly by Mr Khongsak Pinyopusarerk (CSIRO) and Dr Tran Thi Thu Ha (TUAF) at Van Minh commune centre for Na Muc and Khuoi Lieng villagers, and at Lang San commune centre for To Dooc and Ban Sang villagers. At each commune the course was run for 2 days. The first day was for lectures using powerpoint slides (already translated into Vietnamese language). On the second day, participants visited plantations to gain hands-on experience in pruning and thinning. The list of participants is given in Attachments 1-2. The training PowerPoint slides are presented in Attachments 3. The lectures covered the following. 1. General introduction The presentation in the first session was focused on the pro and con of plantations as against natural forests. A strong message to participants was the importance of using seed of good genetic quality. This was supported by many photos showing differences in the performance of plantation-grown trees from good quality seed and poor quality seed. We also spent time to discuss MARD’s decision prohibiting use of seed collected from first-generation acacia hybrids because of poor results (segregation effect); trees are a mixture of original parents and generally very variable as already evident in many acacia hybrid plantations in the district. Only rooted cuttings should be used for acacia hybrid plantations. It was pleasantly surprised when one villager asked for advice on how to select trees suitable for seed collection and the method and time for collecting seed. 2. Production of high quality seedlings In this session, essential steps in nursery operation at villager level were discussed. The ultimate goal of nursery operation is production of high quality seedlings, i.e. healthy seedlings of optimum size. Under the guidance from Bac Kan extension officer villagers 2 have been able to raise in total more than 150,000 seedlings of Acacia and Manglietia species. However, a common problem across all four village nurseries was inadequate weeding. This issue was discussed with key villagers responsible for nursery maintenance. 3. Establishment of plantation Plantations can be in various forms from small to large plot, as pure species or as part of agroforestry system. All kinds of plantations however have similar things to do to ensure the highest productivity. The main topic covered under this session included: site preparation (ground clearing, soil cultivation), out-planting (planting time, planting density, planting holes, planting seedlings), tending (protection, fertilization, pruning, thinning), and harvesting. 4. Enrichment planting Enrichment planting is another form of plantation establishment except it is done without clearing the entire site. Instead this method involves planting to fill the gaps in poorly regenerated natural forest. Enrichment planting has already been practised in Na Ri by many households. Similar to normal plantations, the importance of good quality seedlings, good site preparation, good out-planting and good maintenance was emphasised in this session. 5. Institution and benefit sharing, payment for environmental services Plantations to be established on community forest lands require joint effort from all village members. Such cooperation is a prerequisite for benefit sharing. Dr Tran Thi Thu Ha led the presentation in this session and reminded villagers of the need to respect the approved CFM guidelines and sensible use of CFM funds. Although CFM regulations are already in place in all four project villages, support from local authorities, and district and provincial FPDs is still needed to ensure the CF lands are well protected (from animal grazing and illegal logging) and forest development can be accomplished. A new scheme known as “Payment for environmental services” was introduced to villagers. This scheme acknowledges financial value of nature and ensures that those who benefit from environmental goods and services pay for those who provide these services. For example, downstream users of clean water pay those who manage upstream forests. Well protected community forest may be entitled to this benefit if the economic value meets the criteria. Representatives from Bac Kan FPD notified a new government regulation concerning forest plantation establishment. The new law on forest protection and development require that villagers wish to establish plantation greater than 0.2 ha must submit an application and provide a map of the proposed planting area which has to be verified by district FPD official. This law is an effort to prevent land owners from clearing good natural forest for new plantation. 3 General Discussion It was very pleasing to witness active participation from villagers, commune leaders and authorities and representatives from Bac Kan Forest Protection Department during the training. The training is considered successful in many ways. It has raised the awareness of local and provincial authorities on the importance of many technical aspects. Plantation development is a process. It must start with correct choice of suitable species, to be followed by use of good quality seed and production of good quality seedlings. Subsequently planting must be carried out with due consideration to good site preparation, good planting method and finally good tending. 4 Appendix 1 Participants at Forest Development Training Location: Van Minh Commune, Na Ri District, Bac Kan Province 18-19/6/2008 No Full name 1 Nong Quoc Truong 2 Le Xuan Dieu 3 Hoang Anh Tuan 4 Luc Van Hue 5 Nong Van Tap 6 Ly Thi Xuyen 7 Hoang Thi Thu 8 Hoang Thi Uyen 9 Hoang Van Dieu 10 Hoang Thi Hien 11 Luc Van Bang 12 Luc Van Cao 13 Luc Van Hau 14 Luc Van Hoai 15 Luc Van Ninh 16 Luc Van Son 17 Luc Van Duy 18 Luc Van Luyen 19 Luc Van Khue 20 Luc Thi Huan 21 Nong thi Soi 22 Nong Thi Gam 23 Pham Thi Men 25 Ma Thi Thuan 25 Dang Thi Hoi 26 Dam Van Duong 27 Dam Van Dong 28 Dam Quang Trung 29 Dam Van Tien 30 Dam Van Mon 31 Nguyen Thi Mao 32 Dam Chi Cuong 33 Nguyen Van Tro 34 Ban Thi Tam 35 Ban Van Duc 36 Dam Van Huan Sex Position M Vice-director of Forest Protection and Management Division, Bac Kan FPD M Bac Kan FPD M Kim Hy Nature Reserve M Vice-chairman, Van Minh Commune M Administrator, Van Minh Commune F Land Administration, Van Minh Commune F Extension worker, Van Minh Commune F Chairperson of Women’s Union, Van Minh Commune M Officer, Van Minh commune F Extension worker M Na Muc villager M “ M “ M “ M “ M “ M “ M “ M “ F “ F “ F “ F “ F “ F “ M Khuoi Lieng villager M “ M “ M “ M “ F “ M “ M “ F “ M “ M “ 5 ... - tailieumienphi.vn