1 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 2 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 3 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. 4 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. 5 Appendix 1 Participants at Forest Development Training Location: Van Minh Commune, Na Ri District, Bac Kan Province 18-19/6/2008 No Full name Sex Position 1 Nong Quoc Truong M Vice-director of Forest Protection and Management Division, Bac Kan FPD 2 Le Xuan Dieu M Bac Kan FPD 3 Hoang Anh Tuan M Kim Hy Nature Reserve 4 Luc Van Hue M Vice-chairman, Van Minh Commune 5 Nong Van Tap M Administrator, Van Minh Commune 6 Ly Thi Xuyen F Land Administration, Van Minh Commune 7 Hoang Thi Thu F Extension worker, Van Minh Commune 8 Hoang Thi Uyen F Chairperson of Women’s Union, Van Minh Commune 9 Hoang Van Dieu M Officer, Van Minh commune 10 Hoang Thi Hien F Extension worker 11 Luc Van Bang M Na Muc villager 12 Luc Van Cao M “ 13 Luc Van Hau M “ 14 Luc Van Hoai M “ 15 Luc Van Ninh M “ 16 Luc Van Son M “ 17 Luc Van Duy M “ 18 Luc Van Luyen M “ 19 Luc Van Khue M “ 20 Luc Thi Huan F “ 21 Nong thi Soi F “ 22 Nong Thi Gam F “ 23 Pham Thi Men F “ 25 Ma Thi Thuan F “ 25 Dang Thi Hoi F “ 26 Dam Van Duong M Khuoi Lieng villager 27 Dam Van Dong M “ 28 Dam Quang Trung M “ 29 Dam Van Tien M “ 30 Dam Van Mon M “ 31 Nguyen Thi Mao F “ 32 Dam Chi Cuong M “ 33 Nguyen Van Tro M “ 34 Ban Thi Tam F “ 35 Ban Van Duc M “ 36 Dam Van Huan M “ 6 37 Hoang Thi Nguyen F “ 38 Nong Van Thai M “ 39 Ban Thi Vuong F “ 40 Hoang Van Son M “ 41 Duong Van Thao M TUAF 42 Nguyen Thi Hoa F TUAF 43 Tran Thi Thu Ha F TUAF 44 Khongsak Pinyopusarerk M CSIRO 7 Appendix 2 Participants at Forest Development Training Location: Lang San Commune, Na Ri District, Bac Kan Province 20-21/6/2008 No Full name Sex Position 1 Le Xuan Dieu M Bac Kan FPD 2 Hoang Anh Tuan M Kim Hy Nature Reserve 3 Nong Van Tam M Chairman, Lang San Commune 4 Dam Van Huan M Vice-chairman, Lang San Commune 5 Hoang Van Hoat M Secretary of Party 6 Pham Van Phung M Vice-chairman of People’s committee Board 7 Ban Duc Thuan M Vice-chairman of People’s committee Board 8 Ban Nhu Moc M Head of Farmers’ Union 9 Hoang Minh Quang M Secretary of Young’s Union 10 Hoang Thi Thanh F Chairperson of Women’s Union 11 Leo Thi Tien F Commune Officer 12 Nong Van Thinh M Extension worker 13 Tran Van Nam M To Dooc villager 14 Tran Van Chung M “ 15 Hoang Van Dinh M “ 16 Ha Thi Nguyen F “ 17 Tran Van Manh M “ 18 Tran Van Bang M “ 19 Luc Van Bac M “ 20 Tran Van Luc M “ 21 Hoang Van Loi M “ 22 Luc Thi Di F “ 23 Ban Thi Coi F “ 25 Tran Van Quan M “ 25 Hoang Van Vy M Ban Sang villager 26 Hoang Van Huong M “ 27 Dam Van Truong M “ 28 Hoang Van Tan M “ 29 Hoang Van Nong M “ 30 Hoang Van Mao M “ 31 Hoang Van Vu M “ 32 Sam Van Duong M “ 33 Chu Thi Luong F “ 34 Hoang Thi Tuyen F “ 35 Duong Van Thao M TUAF 36 Nguyen Thi Hoa F TUAF 37 Tran Thi Thu Ha F TUAF 38 Khongsak Pinyopusarerk M CSIRO 8 Appendix 3 Presentation 1 9 10 Presentation 2 Village Nursery [...]... establishment 14 15 16 17 18 Presentation 4 Institution and Benefit Sharing 19 20 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 21 Introduction... 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... 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... 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... Division, Bac Kan FPD Bac Kan FPD Kim Hy Nature Reserve Vice-chairman, Van Minh Commune Administrator, Van Minh Commune Land Administration, Van Minh Commune Extension worker, Van Minh Commune Chairperson of Women’s Union, Van Minh Commune Officer, Van Minh commune Extension worker Na Muc villager “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ Khuoi Lieng villager “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 25 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Hoang Thi... 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... 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 23 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. .. 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... given in Appendices 1-2 The training PowerPoint slides are presented in Appendix 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... 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 . 2 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. 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. clearing, soil cultivation), out-planting (planting time, planting density, planting holes, planting seedlings), tending (protection, fertilization, pruning, thinning), and harvesting. 4.