Community-based agricultural extension as the core for sustainable large-timber raw material development

On September 30, in Ben Quan commune (Quang Tri province), the National Agricultural Extension Center partnered with the Quang Tri provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment to host a seminar titled "community-based agricultural extension and the sustainable development of large-timber raw material areas.” Mr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, chaired the event.

The event was attended by over 100 delegates, including representatives from central and local agencies, businesses, cooperatives, community-based agricultural extension groups, and exemplary farmers from the North Central Coast provinces. It served as an opportunity to review results, share experiences, and define solutions for developing concentrated large-timber raw material areas to meet processing and export demands in the new phase.

The seminar also included an open dialogue session featuring leaders from the National Agricultural Extension Center, the Departments of Agriculture and Environment from the North Central Coast provinces, wood processing businesses, cooperatives, and exemplary farmers.

Through the seminar, participants expect to pave a clear and sustainable path for community-based agricultural extension to continue as a leading force, accompanying farmers and cooperatives in building concentrated, quality, and modern large-timber raw material areas. This effort aims to solidify the brand of Vietnamese wood in the international market.

According to information shared at the seminar, the country currently has over 4.65 million hectares of concentrated planted forests, with large-timber planted forests accounting for approximately 1.5 million hectares (32%).

The North Central Coast and Central Coast region is identified as the country's large-timber raw material hub, with more than 2.1 million hectares of planted forest, accounting for nearly 45% of the total planted forest area nationwide. Specifically, Quang Tri province has over 240,000 hectares of planted forest, of which nearly 38,000 hectares have been granted FSC certification.

From 2020 to 2024, the forestry sector maintained steady growth, with the export turnover of wood and wood products reaching about 15.8 billion USD in 2024, accounting for nearly 30% of the total export value of agriculture, forestry, and fishery products. It is projected that by 2030, the domestic demand for large-timber raw materials for processing could exceed 50 million m3 per year, with about 70-80% requiring sustainable forest management certification (FSC, PEFC). Therefore, delegates unanimously emphasized that large timber is the foundation for enhancing the wood processing and export industry.

In this context, community-based agricultural extension is identified as the pioneering force working alongside farmers and cooperatives, serving as the extended arm of the forestry sector. This role is demonstrated across several aspects.

Community-based agricultural extension groups will transfer techniques and technology, provide guidance on intensive large-timber plantation, support with FSC/PEFC certification; facilitate supply chain connections, and spread the "Three Together" motto: think together - act together - develop together. Community-based agricultural extension will also help shift the mindset of forest planters from small-scale production to organized production linked with the international market.

At the Long Thanh nursery model in Ben Quan commune, the organizing committee presented the results of the community-based agricultural extension Project for large-timber raw material areas and the activities of community-based agricultural extension groups in Quang Tri province. Delegates discussed the effectiveness of coordination between the national agricultural extension system and community-based agricultural extension in seedling supply, supply chain development, and sustainable forest certification.