Nghe An Province and Forestry University signed a cooperation agreement in the field of forestry.

Attending the meeting, on the side of Nghe An province were Mr. Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and representatives of leaders of departments, branches and sectors. On the side of the Forestry University, there were Prof. Dr. Pham Van Chuong - Vice Rector of the school and scientists and lecturers. Photo: Phuoc Anh

At the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Viet Hong informed the working delegation about some basic features of the province's socio-economic development situation, as well as the current status of forests and forestry land in Nghe An.

Accordingly, the total current area planned for forestry land is more than 1.160 million hectares, accounting for 71.6% of the total natural area of ​​the province. The forestry sector has seen strong growth in planting, zoning and protecting forests, with forest cover reaching 57.7% in 2017; expected to reach 58% in 2018.

The growth rate of forests in the province is quite fast, on average each year the whole province plants over 15,000 hectares of concentrated forests, the annual increase in planted forest area has exceeded the rate of forest degradation and brought real economic efficiency to local people, bringing the total existing planted forest area in the province to 165,918.7 hectares. In addition, attention and focus has been paid to the protection and restoration of natural forests, bringing the total existing natural forest area to 785,481.9 hectares.

The forestry industry has undergone changes in terms of organization, production structure and awareness. The province's export turnover of timber and non-timber forest products increased from 30 million USD (in 2010) to 185 million USD (in 2017), accounting for a large proportion of Nghe An's export items.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Viet Hong spoke at the meeting. Photo: Phuoc Anh

However, Nghe An also identified a number of difficulties and challenges in forestry development. These include large areas of forest and forestry land, high, steep terrain, and complex fragmentation; underdeveloped forestry infrastructure; difficulties in accumulating forestry land due to fragmented land allocation to people; limited investment capital for forestry production activities; and many shortcomings in forestry development policies...

Based on the results of the actual review, Nghe An set a target of 60% forest coverage in the province by 2020 and stable in the following years. To achieve this target, the province has identified specific tasks, assigned to each sector and each locality; at the same time, it also needs effective coordination with specialized units, including the Forestry University.

The forest of cajuput trees in Tuong Duong. Photo archive

Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Dr. Pham Van Chuong said that the Forestry University is the leading training institution in the country in forestry. With the largest team of forestry scientists in the country, the school is completely capable of independent research and transfer to production.

Through the exchange, the school has grasped the needs and desires of Nghe An province in the forestry sector; from there, it will delve into understanding, researching and proposing appropriate and effective solutions and directions, together with Nghe An province to remove and solve difficult problems.

Nghe An Provincial People's Committee and Forestry University signed a memorandum of cooperation. Photo: Phuoc Anh

At the meeting, the People's Committee of Nghe An province and the University of Forestry signed a cooperation agreement on training, scientific research and technology transfer activities for the period 2018 - 2022. The agreement clearly states the cooperation contents such as: human resource training; research, application and technology transfer; provision and exchange of scientific and technological information; mobilizing capital for science and technology; international cooperation on science and technology.../.