Bac Kan (VNA) – Honda Vietnam (HVN) will work with people in the northern province of Bac Kan to plant more than 80 hectares of forest this year, the fourth year in the HVN-sponsored forest-growing project in the province.
On the fourth “Tree Planting Day” held on May 15, 1,500 trees were planted in an area of two hectares by some 200 HVN workers and locals. The event is part of the eight-year project (2013-2020) developed by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development with consultancy from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Vietnam Forestry University.
According to HVN Deputy General Director Kiwamu Kayano, as a sole sponsor of the project, HVN provides 4.9 billion VND (219,600 USD) for greening 490 hectares of land in Nong Thuong and Xuat Hoa communes. The money covers the costs of project building, technical training for forestry officials and local farmers and the purchase of high-quality seedlings and fertilizer.
Exploitation of the trees will start in 2020. The project is expected to yield 73,500 cubic metres of wood, bringing a total profit of about 50 billion VND (2.24 million USD).
Chairman of the Bac Kan city People’s Committee Dinh Quang Tuyen said that 408.62 hectares had been put under trees during 2013-2015. The average height of the trees is between one and four metres.
Along with protecting the environment and increasing living standards for locals, the project also raises public awareness on the importance of forests in development as well as providing farmers with forest cultivation and protection techniques.-VNA