Early handover of land for rubber planting project

(Baonghean) - To serve the Rubber Tree Development Investment Project, up to now, most households contracted to plant forests in Phuc Son commune, Anh Son district have received compensation and handed over land to the project. However, there are still 14 households that have not handed over for many reasons...

Coming to Phuc Son on a day in mid-December, what we easily noticed was that the formerly poor Phuc Son forest had been covered with lush green rubber hills. Talking to us right next to the rubber forest, Mr. Nguyen Vinh Hung, Team 3, Rubber Farm 12/9 said that his family had over 26 hectares of forest that had been contracted in advance, located in the project area. Most of this area was planted with acacia trees, so the income was not high. Since the rubber planting project, in addition to the compensation of 354 million VND, he was also hired as a worker with an average income of 4.7 million VND/month, the company paid all kinds of insurance, supported meals, and fuel, so he was very excited.

Not only Mr. Hung's family, in Phuc Son there are dozens of families who have changed their lives thanks to the project's compensation money. Mr. Nguyen Cong Nam, hamlet 1, Long Son commune excitedly said: These mountainous areas were previously owned by the Forestry Company, mainly planted with acacia trees, with low economic value. Since the rubber planting and development project, my family has not only received 580 million VND in compensation but my children have also been hired as workers of the company, continuing to receive the previous area. Thanks to that, my family's life is relatively stable, with money to build a house and get married for my children...

Rubber trees grow well on Phuc Son land (Anh Son).

It is known that most of the rubber plantation area is contracted to local people. Although only 3 years old, the rubber trees are now over 4m high and lush green. Under the canopy of the rubber trees, workers also plant more aromatic roots, both to protect the soil from erosion and to increase income.

Implementing the Rubber Planting Project, in recent years, especially in 2013, the People's Committee of Anh Son district as well as the Project Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council have actively directed the implementation of compensation and support for site clearance. Up to now, 1,936.29 hectares have been handed over to the investor out of the total area to be handed over of 3,704.14 hectares (including land of households receiving contracts of 1,212.08 hectares (66 households), joint venture land of 188 hectares, land of Anh Son Forestry Company of 478 hectares...) with a total compensation and support amount of 14,079,910,000 VND. However, there are still 14 households that have not completed the compensation and support documents for site clearance. Mr. Phan Van Ty, Bai Da hamlet, Phuc Son commune, said: "In terms of policy, we agree to the decision to reclaim land of the Provincial People's Committee, however, the land rental support of 3.2 million VND/ha, for planted forests 50 million VND/ha is not appropriate". Also residing in Bai Da hamlet, Mr. Pham Trong Duc said: "In addition to the unreasonable compensation price, the main reason why we do not want to hand over is because if we hand over the forest, we will not know what to do to make a living". Ms. Le Thi Huong was determined: "We have built a house here, determined to stay here for a long time, so we cannot pay. If people want to change crops, they can also change, grow rubber themselves, exploit and import for the company"...

Talking to us, Mr. Dang Dinh Luc, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Anh Son district, said: In the face of difficulties that have prevented the compensation and site clearance for the rubber tree planting project in the district from being completed, on November 6, 2013, the leaders of the district People's Committee and the Project Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council had a meeting with households building houses on contracted land within the project's site clearance scope to thoroughly grasp the plan for implementing site clearance on the contracted land of the households. However, only 3/14 households attended. Then, on November 12, 2013, the District Project Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council issued a plan and organized the implementation of compensation and site clearance. The Council sent invitations to organize field inspections, but the households refused to accept. During 2 days (November 18 and 19, 2013), the Council's working group directly worked with the households to count. Out of 14 households, only Mr. Phan Van Ty's household cooperated in the counting; 8 households requested that they would only cooperate when they were granted land use right certificates, and 5 households were absent.

In fact, the policy of converting forest land for the rubber plantation project in Anh Son district has been approved by the majority of households, quickly completing the handover procedures and receiving compensation. Many households after handing over land for the project have been hired as workers of the rubber company, with high incomes and stable lives. However, because of not understanding the policy, as well as for some other reasons, some households have not cooperated. Therefore, according to the functions and management authority, Anh Son district People's Committee needs to continue to coordinate with Phuc Son commune and the rubber joint stock company to propagate the province's policy on implementing the rubber plantation project, the benefits of the project, the compensation and site clearance regime; promptly resolve legitimate and legal requests of households... On the part of households and joint ventures, it is necessary to understand that this is a major policy of the province, with the goal of promoting the advantages of the locality itself, including the interests of the people themselves, so it is necessary to coordinate with the Compensation Council to measure and promptly hand over previously contracted forest land to the project. Do not let a few personal reasons affect the general policy as it is now.

Quang An