Diverse forms of economic development under the forest canopy

With a planned land area for forestry development of more than 547,000 hectares, accounting for 81.6% of the total natural area, Cao Bang province has set plans to implement the Smart Agriculture Project for the 2020 - 2025 period related to the development of forest economy in general and the development of non-timber forest products and medicinal plants, thereby gradually promoting advantages for economic development under the forest canopy.

Currently, the province has a natural forest area of more than 353,000 hectares and nearly 17,000 hectares of planted forest. In recent years, Cao Bang has implemented a number of projects such as: "Research on experimental planting of ba kich trees under forest canopy in Cao Bang province"; "Developing medicinal orchids using tissue culture and experimental planting in Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province"; "Application of science and technology to build a model of growing and processing Polygonum multiflorum in Bao Lac district, Cao Bang province".

These models have contributed to increasing income for local people, while protecting and sustainably maintaining natural forest ecosystems, preserving rare genetic resources with economic value, sustainable use of forest resources, biodiversity conservation, orientation for eco-tourism services to promote socio-economic development in Cao Bang province.

To improve efficiency, Cao Bang will carry out economic development under the forest canopy in many different forms. The smart agriculture project for the period 2020 - 2025 has identified a number of research, conservation, and development activities for a number of tree varieties such as ginseng, black lingzhi, hoai son, and focuses on growing non-timber forest products on an area of 2,550 hectares. Of which, there will be 500 hectares of star anise in Thach An and Trung Khanh districts; 600 hectares of cinnamon in Nguyen Binh, Bao Lac, Bao Lam districts; 250 hectares of Ngoc Linh ginseng, polygonum multiflora, golden orchid, seven leaves one flower trees in Nguyen Binh, Bao Lam, Thach An and Bao Lac districts.

The mark of over 10 years of forest development and forest product processing

After more than 10 years of implementing Resolution No. 11-NQ/TU, dated December 30, 2009 of the Provincial Party Committee on forest development and forest product processing in the period of 2010-2020, the natural forest area in Cao Bang has been well managed and protected.

The total area of concentrated afforestation reached 15,693.04 hectares. The forest coverage has been on the rise year on year. In 2010, the forest coverage rate reached 50.1%, up to 53.5% in 2015, and 55.29% in 2020, equal to 92.15% of the Resolution's target. The total forest area in 2020 reached 370,478.57 hectares, equal to 91.87% of the target, of which the area of protection and special-use forests reached 206,663.08 hectares, equal to 89.56% of the target; the production forest area reached 167,433.29 hectares, equal to 97.05% of the target.

Cao Bang has implemented forest protection and development in association with the policy of rapid, sustainable poverty reduction and support for ethnic minorities in the period 2010-2020 according to Decree No. 75/2015/ND-CP. The province has given support for forest protection and forest protection contracts for ethnic minority households and poor households living stably in communes with difficult socio-economic conditions (Regions II and III), contributing to preventing indiscriminate deforestation, illegal forest exploitation and other acts of encroachment on forests and forest resources.

The development of farm economic models is of interest to party committees and authorities at all levels. The province has established 160 models of "Farmers participating in environmental protection and adapting to climate change"; 15 cooperatives related to afforestation, forest care and forest tree nursery planting; 2 forestry tree planting models with a total cost of 480 million VND; promoting the transfer of scientific and technical advances into production practices to increase planted forest productivity; strengthening forest management, protection and development.

Enhancing forest economic value and cultural and historical value

In the coming time, Cao Bang will continue to implement the province's forestry planning with the national forestry planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, while ensuring compliance with the overall general planning of the province; develop a sustainable management plan; exploitation and use of forest will be associated with nature conservation, improving forest economic value and cultural and historical value; protect the environment, responding to climate change and improve people's livelihoods;

Implement and complete project goals and schemes, striving to reach 60% forest coverage by 2025; strengthen forest management, protection and development, well implement the provisions of the Forestry Law and guiding documents, and effectively implement State policies related to the forestry sector;

Continue to promote propaganda and education, creating a strong change in awareness and responsibility of officials, party members, households and all people for management, protection and development of forests as well as the important role and value of forests for socio-economic development, protecting the ecological environment, providing forest environmental services, minimizing natural disasters, and adapting to climate change.

In addition, Cao Bang also focuses on promoting the socialization of forestry production activities, creating favorable conditions for people and economic sectors to participate in building and organizing the implementation of forest management programs and projects, replicating the community forest management model of benefit sharing and co-management on the basis of volunteerism and consensus between forest owners and those participating in management; attracting businesses with investment potential and developing the plantation wood processing industry with modern technology, creating diverse, high-quality, branded products, capable of competing on the market.