Posted on June, 22 2016
(KPL News) The development of the sustainable use of natural forest resources by Lao rural communities, particularly non-timber forest products (NTFP), has enormous potential to eradicate poverty and contribute to green growth.
Family farmers are increasingly being recognized as part of the future and key players in sustainable rural development and the sustainable use of forests.
Bamboo has become one of the most important natural resources in the country with a high biodiversity of bamboo species present in natural forests and diverse number of products that can be made with it that can be traded.
Already local governments and organizations are supporting development of the bamboo sector for the small holders. Bamboo can become the “green gold” of small holders to decrease poverty.
On June 15 at the Department of Forestry in Vientiane Capital, GRET, the WWF, and RECOFTC held a workshop on the development of Bamboo and Rattan value chains in the country. They joined efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry a two-day workshop with the aim of developing a National Bamboo and Rattan Strategy in the Lao PDR. The workshop was co-chaired by Deputy Director General of the Department of Forestry, Mr Bualy Phameuang and by representative of Swedish Development Cooperation, Mr Martin Hassler.
After a presentation by Deputy Director of the Forestry Division, Mr Somsack Sisomvang of the National Forest Strategy, in which he stressed the importance of NTFP, several projects were presented highlighting the socio-economic and environmental benefits for communities related to the processing and trading of bamboo and rattan collected - in a sustainable manner - from natural forests.
As a first step of the strategy development, officials from Huaphan Province including Mr Petsakone Keovilavanh and Mr Aiyako Kandasak for the Huaphan Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, and Mr Somphone Huangvongsa from Department of Planning and Investment shared their experiences developing a bamboo strategy at the provincial level.
The first strategy was developed in 2011-2015 with the support of GRET and was considered very successful as GNI produced from bamboo issued from natural forests amounted to US$540,000 for 2,800 households in three districts in 2015.
In addition, Mr Khambone Phasouk shared information about the national coffee strategy development process. This opened the floor to some interesting discussions on the national bamboo and rattan strategy and opportunities that may follow such a trend.
At the closing of the workshop, the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Phouang Parisack Pravongviengkham said that he supported the development of a National Bamboo and Rattan Strategy, expanding on the example of the Huaphan Bamboo Strategy.
He added that the strategy is very much in line with the national strategy and objectives of poverty reduction and green growth, as well as contributing to forest preservation and biodiversity.
By KPL News
22 June 2016
