Forest connection programme helps farmers improve lives

Afforestation and the development of wood products for the domestic market and export has become an effective production method, helping millions of famers in mountainous areas improve their lives.

The International Workshop on Forest Connection Programme in Hanoi (Credit: nongnghiep.vn)
The International Workshop on Forest Connection Programme in Hanoi (Credit: nongnghiep.vn)

The affirmation was released by a delegate from the Vietnam Central Farmers’ Association at an international workshop on the Forest Connection Programme which opened in Hanoi on January 15.

The event, to last through January 18, draws the participation of representatives from 22 member countries of the Forest and Farm Faculty under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Experts introduced and shared the initial experiences and results of business models on forestry products in many countries including Guatemala, Kenya, Bolivia, Finland, Philippines, Indonesia, China and Laos.

Over the recent years, the Vietnamese Party and State have issued numerous guidelines and policies to help farmers develop agriculture and forestry associated with forest protection and development.

The Vietnam Farmers' Association has organised various programmes supporting farmers in the development of business models to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty and deforestation, increase the rate of forest coverage and deal with climate change.

Thousands of farmers around the country have been allocated land and forests, and have profited from their cultivation.

Initiated in 2007, the Forest Connection Programme has been developed on a global scale with the participation of partners around the world to help small-scale enterprises in the field of forestry.

On the occasion, the experts will survey models supporting small-scale forest enterprises and households with forests in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai.