The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification program helps farmers and businesses transition from business-as-usual timber production to more sustainable practices. In Vietnam, FSC-certified wood is sold for 15-20 percent more than non-certified wood. Since September 2018, the USAID Green Annamites project has worked with the Quang Nam Forestry Development and Investment Joint Stock Company (QNAFOR) to improve forest farmers’ livelihoods by producing FSC-certified timber, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve biodiversity and environmental protection in the upland and mountainous areas.
On August 25, the USAID Green Annamites project teamed up with QNAFOR to organize a final virtual workshop on the promotion of FSC-certified large timber plantations. The virtual workshop also showcased results of the partnership between USAID and QNAFOR, including (1) 56 training events on FSC-approved techniques for large timber plantation and tending for 1,680 households (including nearly 40 percent women participants and 42 percent ethnic minority households); (2) 57 training events on forest thinning techniques for 1,720 households (30 percent women participants); (3) USAID providing 1,570,000 acacia seedlings to enable 333 households to start plantations on over 2100 acres; and (4) QNAFOR’s conversion of over 3900 acres managed by 432 households from short-term to longer-term plantations. USAID Green Annamites also supported the training of six key staff from QNAFOR to help them support the community in following FSC certification standards.
So What? USAID Green Annamites’ support to forest-managing households to cultivate FSC-certified large timber improves forest quality, the reliability of household incomes, and environmental protection, contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable forest management efforts.