Forestry science in new era: [2] Protecting forests as a sustainable livelihood

Living well from the forest's gifts

Joining a field survey conducted by the Forest Science Institute of South Viet Nam (FSISV) in the mangrove forests of Ca Mau province, we witness how effective the integrated forestry-aquaculture models are. Beneath the mangrove canopy, a rich ecosystem provides abundant natural feed for shrimp, crabs, fish, and other aquatic species, creating a stable and sustainable source of income for households contracted to protect the forest.

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Nguyen Thanh Tuyen, who has lived and worked in the Ngoc Hien mangrove forest since 2012, is one of the households contracted to protect the forest in Xeo Mam hamlet (Phan Ngoc Hien commune, Ca Mau). His family's life has changed dramatically since combining forest protection with aquaculture beneath the forest canopy.

Before joining the program, Tuyen worked as a casual laborer with unstable income. After receiving a forest protection contract, technical guidance, and seed stock from the Southwestern Forestry Research and Experimental Center, his family's livelihood gradually improved.

His family now earns around VND 5-7 million per month during the off-season and more than VND 10 million during the peak season. Income from aquaculture has stabilized the household economy while strengthening their long-term commitment to forest conservation. For Tuyen, protecting the forest means protecting his livelihood. Every day, he patrols the assigned forest area, cares for the trees, and works with forest management authorities to detect and prevent illegal activities.

Luu Phuoc Tai, another long-term contract holder in the area, said that combining aquaculture with forest management has become his family's primary source of income. Every day, he tends the forest, monitors shrimp and crab ponds, and regulates water levels with the tides to ensure healthy tree growth and prevent water stagnation and pollution. His family harvests aquatic products two or three times each month.

"Living under the forest canopy means enjoying a clean environment while earning a living from aquaculture and forest protection. The work is demanding, but we remain committed because the forest is the foundation of our long-term livelihood," he said.

The institute's field survey also provides an opportunity for contracted households to share practical challenges during production, discuss difficulties in forest protection and aquaculture, and receive additional technical guidance to improve the integrated forestry-aquaculture model.

The value of the forest extends beyond farmed aquatic species. Research and demonstration areas featuring species such as the tip mangrove (Rhizophora apiculata), Asiatic mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata), and black mangrove (Avicennia spp.), planted at appropriate densities, create habitats for a wide range of naturally occurring aquatic species.

These "gifts from the forest" provide additional income for local households while reinforcing, rather than competing with, their responsibility to protect the forest. The integrated forestry-aquaculture model demonstrates that forests are better protected when local communities can earn stable livelihoods from the ecosystems they help conserve.

“Protecting forests so shrimp can sustain people's livelihoods”

According to the Southwestern Forestry Research and Experimental Center, households raise shrimp and crabs beneath the mangrove canopy using natural farming methods. The aquatic species rely on feed available within the ecosystem.

“To maintain production, households regularly restock juvenile shrimp and crabs and adjust water levels according to tidal cycles. Frequent water exchange promotes the growth of aquatic species while keeping the mangrove ecosystem healthy. Staff from the Center and FSIS regularly inspect field sites, provide technical guidance, and assist households throughout the production process,” said Duong Hung Vy, head of the Forestry Experimental Station.

Compared with intensive shrimp farming, ecological black tiger shrimp raised beneath the mangrove canopy produce lower yields, approximately 80-100 kilograms per hectare annually. However, the shrimp grow larger, typically reaching a size of 10-15 shrimp per kilogram. Production costs are also much lower because farmers do not use commercial feed, with initial seed stock representing the main investment, thereby reducing financial risks.

The defining feature of this model is its nature-based production system. Instead of operating intensive ponds that require aerators, constant environmental monitoring, commercial feed, and disease management, farmers synchronize production with tidal cycles and rely on the ecosystem's natural balance.

Daily tasks mainly involve clearing vegetation from pond embankments, checking sluice gates, preventing water leakage, and monitoring tides. During high tides, farmers open the gates to allow fresh water, sediment, and natural feed sources into the ponds. As the tide recedes, market-sized shrimp are harvested using traditional traps and sold to traders.

According to Vy, this production method significantly lowers production costs and labor requirements while maintaining stable income. It also encourages aquaculture livelihoods to become closely linked with the responsibility of protecting the mangrove ecosystem.

"The Center regularly supplies seed stock, organizes aquaculture training courses, and provides technical guidance on both forest management and forest protection. In the near future, we will continue creating favorable conditions for local households to stabilize their lives and build sustainable livelihoods so they remain committed to protecting the forest in the long run," said Ninh Van Quang, Deputy Director of the Southwestern Forestry Research and Experimental Center.

The Ngoc Hien Forestry Experimental Station, under the Southwestern Forestry Research and Experimental Center, currently manages 87.7 hectares of forest. In addition to conducting forestry research, the Center has established sustainable aquaculture models beneath the mangrove canopy that generate income for six households living in and protecting the forest while contributing to responsible forest resource management.

The shrimp-and-crab farming model in Ngoc Hien is helping transform local thinking from "clearing forests to farm shrimp" to "protecting forests so shrimp can sustain people’s livelihoods." By linking livelihoods with forest conservation, the model not only provides stable income but also empowers local people to become frontline stewards and help mangrove ecosystems better adapt to climate change.

$ 1 = VND 26,460 - Source: Vietcombank.