Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the Strategy for the Development of Forestry Tree Seedlings

for the period 2006-2020

______________________________

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to Ordinance No. 15/2004/PL-UBTVQH11 on Plant Varieties adopted by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Session XI, on March 24, 2004;

Pursuant to Decision No. 17/2006/QĐ-TTg dated January 20, 2006 of the Prime Minister regarding the continued implementation of Decision No. 225/1999/QĐ-TTg dated December 10, 1999 on the Program for Plant and Animal Breeds and Forestry Tree Seedlings until 2010;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Forest Service and the Head of the Science and Technology Department,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Strategy for the Development of Forestry Tree Seedlings for the period 2006-2020, with the following main contents:

1. Objectives of the Strategy:

a) General Objective:

Building a modern forestry seedling industry to ensure adequate supply of high-quality seedlings to meet the needs of afforestation; applying new science and technology in the direction of utilizing hybrid advantages, gradually applying biotechnology in seedling breeding, maintaining biological diversity; forming a production and service system for forestry tree seedlings that is strictly managed and suitable for market mechanisms.

b) Specific Objectives:

- Objective on seedling supply: by 2010, ensuring the provision of 60% of seedlings from recognized sources, including 40% of seedlings from vegetative propagation for afforestation; by 2015, ensuring the provision of 80% of seedlings from recognized sources, including 50% of seedlings from vegetative propagation for afforestation.

- Objective on seedling management: by the end of 2006, building and completing all relevant documents related to forestry tree seedling management, by the end of 2008, basically completing technical standards for forestry tree seedlings; improving the management machinery and tools sufficiently to control the quality of forestry tree seedlings according to the chain-of-custody monitoring procedure for major tree species by 2007.

- Objective on seedling research: selecting and creating many new high-yielding varieties with resistance to pests and adverse conditions. Ensuring that forests planted after 2020 have an average productivity of 30 cubic meters per hectare per year for fast-growing trees and 15 cubic meters per hectare per year for large timber trees.

- Objective on resources: By 2010, basically ensuring sufficient staff working in the seedling sector, including research, production, and supply. Important equipment and technical materials will be modernized to match those of countries in the region. Forming a network of seedling production and supply towards socialization of the seedling industry with multiple participants (state-owned enterprises, private enterprises, households, and individuals).

2. Contents of the Strategy:

2.1 Orientation on the production and supply of forestry tree seedlings

a) Priority tree species for seedling development:

- Group of wood-producing trees for economic forest planting:

+ Large timber: Rattan oil, Teak, Red acacia, Caribbean pine, Black sao, Various types of acacia.

+ Small timber: Recognized varieties of eucalyptus, acacia, and melaleuca.

- Group of enrichment planting species and supplementary planting in protected forest areas: Green persimmon, Velvet persimmon, Flowered lat, Ginger reed, Chau lieu, White oak, Huey, Egg vang, Red acacia, Black muong.

- Group of non-timber forest products: Cinnamon, Clove, Sorghum, Plum, Bamboo, Mulberry, Incense cedar, Resin pine.

- Group of protective forest planting species: For headwater protection, including species for enrichment planting; for coastal sand dunes: Acacia resistant to drought, Trôm, Pili nut, Acacia resistant to drought; for wetland protection: Melaleuca, Nypa palm, Vetiver, White mamp.

b) Establishing a seed source system

- Planning the seed source system nationwide based on reviewing and registering existing seed sources.

- Selecting and supplementing new seed sources to influence transformation (approximately 2,700 hectares). - Establishing about 2,900 hectares of high-quality seed forests and nurseries according to the following directions: seed forests for tree species with low genetic variability or planted on small areas, based on selecting superior trees for propagation material; sexual nurseries for long-term native tree species to provide improved seeds while conserving germplasm; clonal nurseries for fast-growing native or introduced species with vegetative propagation potential, to quickly produce high-quality seeds and provide rootstock material.

- Organizing registration and issuance of certificates for seed forests and nurseries meeting quality standards under the management regulations for forestry tree seedlings.

- Importing seedlings: including both missing seedlings and new ones for future forest development programs.

- Updating information on the seed source system annually.

c) Establishing a nursery and tissue culture system: Based on the annual production of 760 million seedlings of various types from seeds, cuttings, and tissue culture.

- Establishing three modern nursery and tissue culture facilities in the Northern, North Central, and South Central regions.

- Provinces with large afforestation areas of ≥ 10,000 hectares per year may establish large-scale nurseries (capacity ≥ 1 million seedlings per year).

- Number of nurseries:

+ Seed nurseries: already have 135, build an additional 65 with a capacity of 1 million seedlings per year.

+ Cutting nurseries: already have 192, build an additional 158.

+ Tissue culture rooms: already have 43, build an additional 57.

d) Establishing and operating a coordinated and unified seedling network

- Members of the seedling network include: state management agencies (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development); research and development agencies; seed source owners; seed production units (seed and seedlings); seed service units and seed users.

- The operation of the forestry seedling network based on the effective management and utilization of selected and recognized seed sources, with close cooperation among all related parties from seed source owners, seed producers, seed suppliers to seed users under the supervision of competent state management agencies, ensuring the delivery of good seeds to users, improving the quality and yield of planted forests.

2.2 Orientation on forestry tree seedling research

Focus on priority forest tree species to increase productivity by 20-50% compared to the current level, paying attention to both fast-growing raw material trees, large timber trees, non-timber forest products trees, introduced species, and native species; solve synchronously the research on breeding and selecting varieties with the study of silvicultural methods to intensify plantation forests; inherit the results of breeding and selecting varieties from previous stages and foreign technical advances in varieties (biotechnology, genetic technology, and new high-yield varieties).

For the period 2006-2010: focus on selecting superior trees, testing progenies and clones; prioritize hybridization research, including traditional hybridization methods and biotechnology applications; establish seedling forests and nurseries for major forestry tree species; quickly introduce new high-yield varieties, increasing the improved variety ratio to over 40%, with average plantation productivity reaching 25 cubic meters per hectare per year for small timber and 10 cubic meters per hectare per year for large timber at the end of the period.

For the period 2010-2020, raise the improved variety ratio to over 50%, focusing appropriately on breeding native species and non-timber forest product trees, widely applying biotechnology in breeding and modern methods in seedling production and seed preservation. At the end of the period, achieve an average plantation productivity of 30 cubic meters per hectare per year for small timber and 15 cubic meters per hectare per year for large timber.

a). In the field of activities:

- For fast-growing tree species that have already passed the species and origin testing phase, in the future, focus on selecting superior trees, propagating, testing progenies and clones; build seedling forests and nurseries in the direction of improving from low to high.

- Concentrate on hybridization research to create breakthroughs in yield and quality of varieties from 2006 to 2020. Adequately invest in biotechnology research to enable molecular hybridization, gene transfer, pre-embryo and clone propagation, and identification of genes controlling growth, wood quality, and resistance after 2010.

b). In terms of equipment:

- Deeply invest in 1-2 key laboratories for researching and applying new biotechnological techniques in breeding.

- Invest in 1-2 advanced seedling production facilities.

- Synchronously invest in 1-2 advanced seed storage facilities.

3. Main solutions

3.1. Management and production organization solutions.

- Review all relevant documents related to seed management to abolish those no longer suitable, complete those not yet complete, and develop new ones where necessary.

- Implement the seed management regulations for forestry tree species nationwide to ensure the genetic quality management of forestry tree seeds.

- Apply information and computer systems to uniformly manage forestry tree seeds across the country.

- The production and supply management system for forestry tree seeds is implemented at both central and provincial levels:

+ Central level: The Forestry Department is responsible for managing, inspecting, supervising national seed production, supply, and quality; planning the seed source system and large-scale nurseries; guiding localities to develop plans, coordinate annual seed production and supply activities; updating seed source records. The Seed Science and Technology Council and experimental research units, seed quality testing laboratories support the Forestry Department.

+ Provincial level: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (where there is a Forestry Sub-department, it assigns the Forestry Sub-department responsibility) is responsible for managing, inspecting, supervising seed production, supply, and quality within the province, coordinating seed production and supply activities. The Seed Science and Technology Council and research units, provincial seed quality testing laboratories support the Department.

3.2. Solutions for production and seed supply organization

- Activities such as selecting seedlings, establishing seedling forests, and nurseries can be carried out by various economic components, but the state maintains policies to invest in maintaining and developing good seed materials. The state holds the main sources of forestry tree seeds.

- Seed production and seedling creation activities are conducted by organizations, individuals, and enterprises under market mechanisms.

- Establish an information system using IT technology to manage seed supply and demand, aiming for widespread use of high-quality seeds.

3.3. Scientific and technological solutions:

- Form a forestry biotechnology center under the Forest Science Institute equipped with synchronized and modern research facilities and a competent team of specialized researchers.

- Link the responsibilities of regional research centers under the Forest Science Institute with the actual forestry production of localities regarding the selection and popularization of new varieties in their areas.

- Focus on implementing research projects and programs to improve varieties to enhance productivity, quality, and resistance for priority tree species used as industrial raw materials and furniture, high-value native species, and specialty species.

- Within the state's forestry research agencies, allocate specialists or specialist groups to conduct long-term and in-depth research on each major forest tree species or group of species.

- Organizations and individuals meeting the required conditions may participate in implementing seed-related research projects and programs through bidding according to current regulations to increase the effectiveness of these projects and programs.

3.4. Resource solutions:

- Train sufficient specialized personnel in forestry seed breeding: 4-5 doctoral and 7-8 master's degree holders specializing in genetics and seed improvement for a five-year period; conduct in-depth university training in seed improvement domestically, and abroad in modern biotechnology; train a skilled technical team in seedling propagation techniques and short-term training to update knowledge on seed selection and propagation for engineers working in seed-related positions at localities.

- Establish key laboratories and breeding centers, seed sources, and nurseries sufficient to provide high-quality seeds for afforestation.

- Enhance research capabilities for the Forestry Biotechnology Center, Forest Tree Seed Research Center, and training capacities for universities and vocational schools.

- Strengthen research capabilities on forest tree seeds for provincial centers, State-owned Enterprises, and forestry companies that have been operating effectively.

- Build and manage data systems, information, and popularize knowledge about forest tree seeds.

3. 5. On Mechanism and Policies:

a). Investment and Credit Policies:

- The state budget prioritizes investment in research on forest tree seeds; constructing seed systems (seed forests, seed gardens), high-tech nurseries based on approved planning; investing in training and retraining staff involved in seed work; investing in forestry promotion activities.

- Preferential credit capital is allocated for commercial seed production by organizations, households, and individuals who borrow funds to nurture, manage seed sources, produce, and develop high-tech seeds.

b). Land and Tax Policies:

- Prioritize good land for research trials and building seed sources.

- Seed business operators are granted land use rights, lease rights, or transfer of land use rights according to current land laws; tax exemptions and reductions are provided according to current tax laws.

3. 6. On International Cooperation:

- Seek support from international organizations for improved seed research, forest gene conservation, enhanced seed capacity and management, establishment of seed institutions and policies, and development of high-quality seed sources.

- Prioritize research, training, and seed exchange cooperation with Australia and China, countries with natural conditions similar to Vietnam and relatively advanced in forestry seed development.

4. Total Financial Requirements for Implementing the Strategy and Priority Projects:

4. 1. Total Financial Requirements for the period 2006-2020: 778.9 billion VND, including:

a). State Budget Investment

- Research and Training: 180 billion VND

+ Training: 35 billion VND (Central: 25 billion, Local: 10 billion)

+ Research Topics: 70 billion VND (Central: 50 billion, Local: 20 billion)

+ Key Laboratories: 75 billion VND (Central: 65 billion, Local: 10 billion)

- Production Support: 200.9 billion VND

+ Seed Source Construction: 124.7 billion VND (Central: 40 billion, Local: 84.7 billion)

+ High-Tech Nursery Construction: 76.2 billion VND (Central: 50 billion, Local: 26.2 billion)

Priority Projects: 143 billion VND

b). Other Sources of Funding:

- Credit Capital, Corporate Contributions: 200 billion VND

- International Projects on Seeds: 55 billion VND

4. 2. Sources of Capital:

Utilize capital from seed programs, biotechnology programs, Project 661, scientific and educational funding, Ministry-funded projects, international organization support projects, credit capital, and corporate capital.

Article 2. Implementation

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

a). Assign the Forestry Department to organize and implement the Forest Tree Seed Development Strategy for the period 2006-2020:

- Complete the system of regulatory documents and supportive policies for forest tree seed development.

- Direct and inspect seed-related activities nationwide to ensure uniformity in seed management; establish a controlled production and supply system for forest tree seeds. Plan a high-quality forest tree seed source system across the country to ensure adequate provision of quality seeds for annual afforestation plans.

- Support provinces in training staff and providing IT equipment to enhance forest tree seed management capabilities.

b). Assign the Planning Division:

- Develop annual plans for production-supporting and seed research activities, ensuring funding for these activities.

c). Assign the Science and Technology Division:

- Develop plans and monitor the implementation of biotechnology and seed research projects.

- Implement recognition of new seeds according to the Seed Management Regulations.

d). Assign the International Cooperation Division:

- Seek support from international projects to create additional resources for forest tree seeds.

2. Provinces and Central Cities

Provincial People's Committees assign responsibilities to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with relevant departments to implement the Forest Tree Seed Development Strategy within their province:

- Implement regulations on seeds, focusing on the Seed Management Regulations (for provinces with Forestry Sub-Departments, assign the Forestry Sub-Department to directly implement the Regulations).

- Form a dedicated unit or appoint specialized staff for forest tree seed management with expertise in seed science.

- Construct and manage improved genetic seed sources within the province, ensuring controlled seed supply within the province and to other provinces.

- Develop seed business operations towards socialization with various economic sectors.

3. Other Agencies and Units

Cooperate according to specific functions and tasks to implement the Strategy:

a). Research units at all levels (Vietnam Forestry Science Institute, Seed Research Centers, Biotechnology Centers) focus on selecting, crossbreeding, and testing new tree species with productivity and resistance suitable for local ecosystems.

b). Forestry training units (Forestry Universities and Vocational Schools, Technical Worker Schools) focus on reforming training programs and methods for seed specialists: specializing in selection, crossbreeding new seeds, biotechnology, genetic technology, molecular genetics; nursery propagation technicians; nursery management techniques.

c). Other units participate in gene conservation, discovery of economically valuable species, investigation and selection of superior trees, production, and supply of good seeds to improve the quality of forest tree seed sources and increase the value of planted forests.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 4. The Heads of the Office, Directors of the Planning Department, Finance Department, Science and Technology Department, International Cooperation Department, Director of the Forestry Administration, Director of the Inspection Department, Director of the Construction Project Management Department, Directors of Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Heads of relevant units shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.