Tree planting model benefits local people in Tuyen Quang

Planting trees can both combat global warming and increase incomes of citizens. The northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang has initiated a cooperative tree planting model, where paper companies work with local people to benefit both parties.

During the 2017 forestation season, Vu Van Xuan, from  Tan Bien 2 village, Tien Bo commune, Yen Son district, TuyenQuang province has received more than 20,000 acacia trees from An Hoa Paper Corporation, enough to cover nine hectares. After a year of applying scientific methods, his acacia trees are now growing stronger than ever.

Vu Van Xuan, a resident in Tien Bo commune, Yen Son district, TuyenQuang province told reporters: "Technical officers from An Hoa Paper Corporationhave helped us tremendously in tree planting methods and provided seedling without any strings attached. We are thrilled to not have to pay huge sums of money for the seedlings, and the administrative procedures are quick thanks to the help of competent agencies."

After two years of implementation, the number of households enrolled in the program has reached 1,300 with forestation area up to 3,250 hectares. Other than providing seedlings, the company also helps out with expenses, and sends technical officers to moblise people planting trees for paper production.

Vu Thi Nhung, Director of An Hoa Paper Corporation said: "We also encouragelocal people to plant more trees and sell the wood pulp to the company". Besides providing seedlings, the wood pulp is also paid in cash so that local farmers have incentive to plant more trees, she added.

AnHoa Paper Corporation is one of five firms following the cooperatives forestation model with local farmers to support them in tree planting. From providing seedlings to purchasing the end products, this model has proven to be very effective in improving the livelihoods of local people.

According to Trieu Dang Khoa, Deputy Head of Tuyen Quang Forest Protection Department, connecting local people with paper companies has brought tremendous benefits to both parties. The whole point of this model is to raise the forestation area and increase the finances and the livelihoods of local people, said Khoa.

This is a sustainable way to promote the cooperative forestation model. It has created incentives for both locals and the companies which participate in the programme. Paper companies can purchase high quality wood pulps and local farmers can improve their income, and this acts as a way to protect the environment.