Focuses on developing the FSC-carbon model: Moving toward sustainability

After the merger of Son Tay Commune and Tay Son Town into Son Tay Commune, the two-tier government apparatus quickly developed an action program. The plan identified the development of large timber forests under FSC standards and the cultivation of medicinal plants under the forest canopy as one of five key tasks. The plan calls for mobilizing the entire political system at all levels to implement these efforts with the goal of improving people’s quality of life.

Mr. Hoang Cam Thach, Secretary of the Party Committee of Son Tay Commune, Ha Tinh Province, shared with the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper about the commune’s development orientation for the coming term in this field.

Sir, although Son Tay is not the commune with the largest forest area in Ha Tinh, why has it identified FSC forest development as one of the five key tasks for the 2025 - 2030 term?

Before taking on the position of Secretary of the Son Tay Commune Party Committee, I served as Vice Chairman of the former Huong Son District People’s Committee. During my fieldwork, I found that 70–80% of local people in Huong Son District in general, and Son Tay in particular, rely on the forest for their livelihoods. Some households were allocated natural forests by the State for protection and regeneration, while others were given land for plantation forests, mostly for growing acacia to sell as wood chips.

Natural forests are only managed for regeneration and protection, without any form of exploitation, so local people have not benefited much from these areas. As for plantation forests, people tend to exploit acacia in a “short-term” manner, which results in low economic efficiency.

Recently, at the First Party Congress of Son Tay Commune, this objective was incorporated into the Resolution and action program with the aim of mobilizing the entire political system to join hands with local people in enhancing the economic value of each unit of land. To achieve this, there is no alternative but to pursue sustainable forest management in line with FSC standards.

Once plantation forests are certified under FSC, both output and selling prices will increase. For natural forests, this certification serves as the basis for measuring and storing carbon. As long as local people remain patient, I firmly believe that in the near future, when the carbon market is freely traded, it will generate dual benefits, both environmental and economic, for the nation as well as for the people.

What solutions will the locality implement to achieve the set goals, sir?

With 10,763 hectares of forest land, accounting for 3.4% of the province’s total forest area and a coverage rate of 76%, Son Tay Commune holds significant potential for forestry-based economic development. In the past term, the commune planted over 2,000 hectares of new forest, including 220 hectares of large timber forest and 20 hectares of medicinal plants under forest canopy. Notably, more than 4,200 hectares of both natural and plantation forests have been certified for sustainable forest management under FSC standards. This approach to managing, protecting, and enriching forests not only improves wood quality and increases product value by 15-20% but also strengthens competitiveness in export markets, while opening the door to future participation in the carbon credit market.

For the 2025 - 2030 term, the Resolution of the Commune Party Congress sets the goal of replanting 830 hectares of forest after harvest, cultivating 200 hectares of medicinal plants under forest canopy, and developing 1,200 hectares of FSC-certified forest. This orientation is designed to protect natural resources, promote sustainable forest-based economic development, enhance the value of forest products, foster eco-tourism, create livelihoods, and increase incomes for local residents, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of forest resource management in the commune.

To achieve these objectives, we have recently tasked the Party Committee under Huong Son Forestry and Service Co., Ltd., a pioneering unit with extensive experience in implementing FSC sustainable forest management, to coordinate with the Tay Kim Forest Certification Cooperative Alliance in conducting training sessions. These cover FSC certification procedures, ecosystem services, and the introduction of potential models with practical applications tailored for local households and community groups. At the same time, we are working closely with FSC Vietnam and Etifor Company (Italy) to expand access to green financing sources for both residents and enterprises.

The local government will also serve as a bridge to attract and connect enterprises capable of supplying high-quality forestry seedlings, providing advanced training on FSC-standard forest management, and guaranteeing product offtake, thereby ensuring stable and sustainable development.

What is the greatest challenge in developing FSC-certified sustainable forests at the local level, sir?

I believe the most difficult part is winning the people’s understanding and participation. The economic differences between conventional forest planting and large timber forest development have been analyzed and communicated extensively. However, because of daily living expenses, many households are still impatient and tend to harvest prematurely.

From now until the end of the term, the Party Committee and local government of Son Tay Commune will continue to prioritize public outreach and mobilization. On the technical side, enterprises and cooperatives are already accompanying and providing support. We hope that local people will gradually change their mindset and actively engage in developing FSC-certified sustainable forests, thereby improving the livelihoods of their own families.

Thank you, sir!