Sustainable afforestation under International FSC Standards brings high income to people in Tan My

After nearly a decade of implementing sustainable forest plantation under International FSC Standards, Tan My commune has emerged as a model in forestry-based economic development.

The leaders of Tan My commune survey the FSC-certified forest plantation in Na Hec village.

With 3,800 hectares of FSC-certified forest and the participation of 1,680 households, the model has generated a stable income of VND60 million - VND100 million per hectare, significantly improving livelihoods and effectively contributing to poverty reduction.

A pioneer in the FSC forest plantation movement is Mr. Tran The Tuyen, head of Trung Son village. In 2015, he boldly converted 10 hectares of forest to converted 10 hectares of forest to FSC standard afforestation. By 2022, after his first harvest, he earned nearly VND1 billion in profit. His success created a ripple effect, encouraging dozens of households in Trung Son and neighboring villages such as Ban Giao, Ban Chang, and Na Hec to participate.

In Ban Giao, Mr. Phung Van Quyet, the first household in the locality to plant FSC with 12 hectares, is considered a “forest billionaire”. High income from FSC forest has helped his family build a spacious house, improving their lives.

Recognizing FSC forest development as a strategic direction, Tan My commune has actively cooperated with enterprises to organize technical training and support residents in adopting modern cultivation practices. In 2025, following the merger of the former Tan My and Hung My communes, the FSC-certified forest area continued to expand with the participation of hundreds of households.

Currently, the commune harvests over 9,000 cubic meters of FSC-certified timber annually and plants more than 100 hectares of new forest each year, contributing to the formation of a stable raw material zone for major wood processing factories in the province. With a forest coverage rate reaching 70%, the model also helps mitigate natural disaster risks, sustain a healthy ecosystem, and create jobs for local people.

Thuy Chau