Nghe An has difficulty liquidating poor quality seed forests: Forest owners are worried

On March 18, 2024, Nghe An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development sent an Official Dispatch to the Provincial People’s Committee proposing a plan to liquidate the area of ​​forest seedlings that do not meet the standards of the “Forestry seed production and supply project for afforestation”.

Regarding this content, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the Forest Protection Department to review, inspect and evaluate the current status of the seed forest implemented with the project’s capital, but things are not favorable.

Based on the 4 criteria specified in Vietnam Standards (TCVN 8758:2018), there are up to 51.5 hectares of forest varieties that do not meet standards, distributed in the management areas of many forest owners in the area, including the Company. Song Hieu Agricultural Forestry Company Limited, Do Luong Forestry Company Limited, Nam Dan Special Use Forest Management Board…

According to records from Vietnam Agriculture, units implemented afforestation according to the policy of nearly 15 years ago, due to many reasons, some areas did not meet expectations.

In fact, most forest trees have passed the age of maturity, the growth and development process is poor, and the density is uneven. There are many places where harmful pests and diseases appear, leading to dead and hollow trees. The number of individuals from seeds of the same mother plant (dominant plant) is low (21/50) compared to the requirement.

In the context of Directive 13-CT/TW on closing natural forests still in effect, each planted forest area is considered a lifeline for forest owners. “I’m sorry for the pain”, they tried to find a way to save the situation but they were unable to do anything.

Taking Nam Dan Special Use Forest Management Board as an example, at the end of 2023 this unit proposed a plan to thin 5 hectares of acacia acacia forest in plot 2, sub-zone 1016B. Unfortunately, after reviewing, it was found that the tree was too old and was no longer able to produce quality seeds, so it was requested to be liquidated and replanted the following year.

Similarly, Do Luong Forestry Company is also in a dilemma, not knowing how to manage 5 hectares of acacia mangium in sub-zone 955D, in section 3 of the Khe Du area of ​​Hoa Son commune. This area has been planted since 2010. Up to now, there has been no decision to recognize the seed forest.

Directly involved in planting, this business affirmed that the above forest plot was old, often collapsed, many died, and was no longer able to produce high-quality seeds. On the other hand, acacia mangium seeds are outdated, the market prioritizes growing high-yield tissue varieties and cuttings, shortening the growth cycle, which means it brings outstanding economic efficiency.

The most painful thing is Song Hieu Forestry and Agriculture Company, the leader of the Nghe An forestry industry. Song Hieu is among the few state-owned enterprises with enough potential to deploy large timber forests, as well as being willing to invest in research and selection to find leading forestry varieties.

At Song Hieu Agricultural Forestry, where hands and minds are seamlessly intertwined, every inch of land is every inch of gold. In the development strategy, there is no concept of wasteful resources. For that reason, 5 hectares of golden forest that are “tied up” year after year is truly the down note of a majestic enterprise:

“The above location is located in the company’s production forest. Every day when we go back and forth, we keep our eyes peeled. If we are allowed to liquidate and proceed with new planting, we commit that the quality of the planted forest will be much better,” the representative of Song Hieu Forestry and Agriculture Company shared sincerely.

The current situation is clear, the need is there, but the complete handling of more than 51 hectares of seed forests that do not meet Nghe An standards is difficult to do in a day or two, because the draft “Decree regulating the liquidation of planted forests” still in the process of…suggestions.

In the latest developments, the People’s Committee of Nghe An province assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to preside and coordinate with the Department of Finance and related units to research and provide comments at the request of the Central Government.

Regulations have not kept up with reality, it seems that the worries of forest owners in Nghe An are far from over.