"Passport" to bring Lao Cai wood to the world

The raw material forest growing area code is considered as the “passport” of each forest, helping to clarify the supply chain, quickly trace the origin, affirm the legality and quality of the wood. More importantly, this is the foundation for building the Lao Cai wood brand, increasing income for people associated with sustainable development.

To date, the province has had more than 4,197 hectares of forest with 5,182 planting area codes. Of these, Yen Binh commune has 2,391 codes (issued for more than 1,800 hectares of forest), Bao Ai commune has 2,672 codes (issued for more than 2,278 hectares of forest) and Van Phu ward has 119 codes (issued for 73 hectares of forest). These numbers show the change in forest management, from spontaneous to systematic production, from rudimentary exploitation to adherence to international standards.

Having been involved in forestry for more than 20 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Bui, Ngoan Huong village, Yen Binh commune, clearly understands the value of forest "identification". His family currently has 3 hectares of cinnamon, of which more than 1 hectare of cinnamon from 5 to 7 years old has been given a code. Thanks to that, he is more confident in taking care of and investing in the forest. Mr. Bui shared: "This code is given to each household, clearly stating the origin of the seedlings, type of tree, year of planting, area and legal status of land use rights. Thanks to that, when exploiting, the consumption of wood will be more convenient, and the selling price will also be higher. We are very excited to be given a forest code."

Bao Ai Commune has 8,637 hectares of forest, of which 7,488 hectares are planted forests, which are the main source of livelihood for local people. Currently, the commune has been granted 2,672 codes for 2,278 hectares of forest. When "identified" with codes, the perennial forests here not only bring a stable source of income, but also open up opportunities to directly access businesses and international markets, contributing to increasing the value of forests and income for people.

Mr. Me Van Giao’s family is one of the first households in Bao Ai commune to be granted a code for 1.3 hectares of hybrid acacia. Mr. Giao shared: “Through propaganda, we understand the importance of granting a forest code. From now on, my family can manage the forest area just through a smartphone. Confirming clear forest ownership and management will help access loans and increase product value.”

If previously the output depended on traders with unstable prices, now the exploited wood will have a more stable market, expanding export opportunities, bringing higher income than many other crops. When each forest plot has its own "passport", people are more confident in investing, caring for, and exploiting in a sustainable way. Mr. Hoang Quang - Vice Chairman of Bao Ai Commune People's Committee shared: "The commune wants to expand the forest area with planting area codes, moving towards covering the entire production forest area to increase value and develop sustainably".

The province currently has more than 859,047 hectares of forest, of which 385,993 hectares are planted forests, with a coverage rate of 61.3% (2024). Granting planting area codes will help maximize this advantage, both increasing the economic value of forestry and improving management efficiency and transparency of exported wood sources.

In 2024, Lao Cai is one of the five northern provinces selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (formerly) to pilot the issuance of codes for key trees such as cinnamon, hybrid acacia, acacia mangium, and linden... This is a great opportunity for forest growers and wood processing enterprises to expand their markets. The provincial Forest Protection Department has coordinated with the Forestry Economics Research Center to identify pilot areas, provide training on code registration procedures, and apply the iTwood system for online declaration and management.

Currently, the work of allocating forestry land is still complicated, the forest area with certificates only reaches more than 30% of the total area with codes; many areas have not been assigned owners, causing difficulties in verifying forest plots. Data for code issuance is compiled from many sources such as FRMS, land allocation database, forest environmental service payment, remote sensing maps, etc. but is not yet synchronized. In addition, limitations in infrastructure and people's education level, especially in remote areas, make the application of digital technology in managing planting area codes encounter many obstacles.

From forests “identified” by codes, Lao Cai wood is gradually integrating more deeply into the international market. It is expected that in 2025, the province will issue additional codes for about 2,000 hectares of raw material forests - another step forward for Lao Cai forestry to develop sustainably, bringing long-term livelihoods to the people.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tam-ho-chieu-dua-go-lao-cai-ra-the-gioi-post880823.html