Nghiên cứu khoa học nông nghiệp " Sustainable and profitable development of acacia plantations for sawlog production in Vietnam - MS2 " potx

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

CARD Project Progress Report





032/05VIE
Sustainable and profitable development of acacia
plantations for sawlog production in Vietnam



MS2: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT











6 October 2006

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1. Institute Information
Project Name
Sustainable and profitable development of
acacia plantations for sawlog production in
Vietnam

Vietnamese Institution
Forest Science Institute of Vietnam
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
Dr Ha Huy Thinh
Australian Organisation
Ensis
Australian Personnel
Dr Chris Harwood, Dr Sadanandan
Nambiar, Dr Chris Beadle, Mr
Khongsak Pinyopusarerk
Date commenced
1/03/2006
Completion date (original)
31/12/2008
Completion date (revised)

Reporting period
1/03/2006 – 1/09/2006

Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name:
Dr Chris Harwood
Telephone:

+61-3-62267964
Position:
Principal Research Scientist
Fax:
+61-3-7901
Organisation
Ensis
Email:


In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Linda Berkhan
Telephone:
+61-3-95452222
Position:
Contracts Officer
Fax:
+61-3-95452446
Organisation
Ensis
Email:


In Vietnam
Name:
Dr Ha Huy Thinh
Telephone:
+84-4-8389813
Position:

Director, Research Centre for Forest
Tree Improvement
Fax:
+84-4-8369722
Organisation
FSIV
Email:
rcfti


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2. Project Abstract

















This project supports the development of profitable smallholder tree plantations in Central

Vietnam, growing high-value acacia sawlogs for Vietnam’s solid-wood processing industries.
The project builds the scientific capacity of the Forest Science Institute of Vietnam (FSIV) to
breed acacia varieties most suited to sawlog production, and to conduct applied silvicultural
research to support sustainable and profitable plantations. It will strengthen the extension capacity
of provincial and local forest development authorities to demonstrate optimum growing
technologies for the improved acacia breeds, and will help tree-farmer groups to optimise
financial and labour inputs to suit their local circumstances. Project components include:
• Formulation of silvicultural guidelines for sustainable acacia sawlog production
• Selection of most appropriate breeds for sawlog plantations in central and northern Vietnam,
and planning for further genetic improvement to improve sawlog value
• Field trials to compare extensive and intensive silvicultural treatments and determine best
technologies to boost productivity, sawlog yields, profitability and sustainability for farmers
• Financial models to help growers judge profitability and select best silvicultural methods
• Training in Australia and Vietnam for managers, scientists, technicians and extension officers.
The initial project activities are described in the Executive Summary and Section 5.
3. Executive Summary
The project is progressing well. The project inception visit to Vietnam was made in March-
April 2006, by Australian project staff Dr Chris Harwood, Dr Chris Beadle and Dr
Sadanandan Nambiar. A formal inception meeting with FSIV project staff was held on
March 27, at which all objectives, outputs and activities of the project were thoroughly
discussed. Dr Nambiar made a preliminary inspection of the FSIV analytical laboratories in
Hanoi (Activity 5.4) and will develop a detailed plan for follow-up action during his next
visit in September 2007.
From March 26 to April 7, field visits were made to project sites in Central Vietnam. Drs
Harwood, Beadle and Nambiar, accompanied by FSIV project staff, inspected candidate sites
for a long-term sustainability trial (Output 3.4) at Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province. We were
able to locate a secure, relatively uniform site on the FSIV Centre for Forest Research and
Production, Northern Central Vietnam at Dong Ha, which presently carries a 9-year-old,
productive plantation of acacia hybrid that is soon to be harvested. FSIV staff subsequently
measured sample plots and excavated soil pits in the existing mature plantation at the chosen

trial site to examine site variation so as to assist design of the experiment. Drs Harwood and
Beadle then inspected candidate sites for thinning/pruning trials at Dong Hoi, Quang Binh
Province (Output 3.1) and laid out a one-hectare thinning trial there in a 2-year-old acacia
hybrid plantation. Subsequently, FSIV staff led by Mr Dang Thinh Trieu established this
trial successfully in May 2006, following written trial establishment guidelines provided by
Dr Beadle. Drs Beadle and Harwood then travelled to southern Vietnam and inspected
genetic and silvicultural trials and the CIFOR sustainability trial, accompanied by FSIV
project scientists Mr Phi Hong Hai and Mr Vu Dinh Huong.
Project funds for the first 12 months of operations, as per the project budget, were transferred
from Ensis to FSIV in April 2006.

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The two-week study tour of Australia (Output 4.1) was conducted over the period May 27 –
June 10, 2006. Four senior science managers from FSIV and MARD took part and were
accompanied by four other managers sponsored by CARD Project 033/05 “Field evaluation
and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations.

All eight participants visited laboratory and field research relevant to both projects in
Tasmania, Mt Gambier and SE Queensland. Further discussions were held on project
development and management during this visit. Detailed arrangements were made for visits
to Vietnam by Drs Harwood, Nambiar and Beadle before the end of calendar year 2006 to
implement scheduled project activities. Drs Harwood and Nambiar made a project visit to
Vietnam in September 2006, details will be reported in the next 6-month progress report.

During the review period, good progress was made towards achieving Output 1 (the review
of best available acacia planting material) and Output 2, (the preparation of silvicultural
guidelines).

4. Introduction & Background
The overall project purpose is to generate and improve incomes for forest growers,

particularly poor forest farmers in the rural areas of central and northern Vietnam, through
the development of sustainable and profitable acacia plantations for sawlog production.
The project will formulate “best-bet” silvicultural guidelines for sustainable acacia sawlog
production based on Vietnamese and overseas experience. It will also review progress in
acacia genetic improvement in Vietnam with the specific aim of selecting the most
appropriate acacia breeds for sawlog plantations in central and northern Vietnam, and will
develop a strategy for further genetic improvement to improve acacia sawlog value. Further
genetic improvement will depend on a better understanding of the quality requirements of
Vietnam’s wood-processing industries, which will be obtained through surveys of sawmills
and wood manufacturing plants.

Field trials will be established to compare extensive and intensive silvicultural treatments and
determine and demonstrate best technologies to improve plantation productivity and
sustainability, sawlog yields and quality, and profitability for farmers. Simple spreadsheet-
based financial models will be developed, incorporating existing knowledge and project
results, to help extension agents and growers to judge profitability of sawlog regimes for
acacia plantations and select the best silvicultural methods for their situations.

A study tour and training courses will be conducted in Australia for Vietnamese scientists
and managers, to expose them to the management and research environments underpinning
established sawlog-growing industries. Training courses will also be conducted in Vietnam
for scientists, technicians, forest extension officers and tree farmers. These courses will
emphasise hands-on training in the field and visits to the project’s demonstration field trials.
Extension materials including written guidelines, posters and audio-visual materials will be
produced. These materials will be used by extension agents to describe the technology
package developed by the project to a wider target audience of tree farmers. The scientific
capacity of FSIV will be strengthened through acquisition of additional equipment for wood
quality analysis. Advice will be provided on upgrading FSIV Hanoi laboratory facilities for
chemical analysis of soil and plant samples.

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The project will achieve capacity building through a combination of formal and on-the-job
training, and at the same time establish field trials that will serve as demonstrations of the
recommended technologies, provide valuable results in the short term to underpin sawlog
growing, and establish a major experimental site for long-term studies of plantation
sustainability. The project incorporates three training courses for forestry extension agents
and lead farmers to enable them learn a technology package for acacia sawlog production,
and production of written and audio-visual extension materials to support a wider
dissemination to tree growers across Vietnam.

5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
The project inception visit to Vietnam was made in March-April 2006, by Australian project
staff Dr Chris Harwood, Dr Chris Beadle and Dr Sadanandan Nambiar. A formal inception
meeting with FSIV project staff was held on March 27, at which all activities of the project
were thoroughly discussed. Dr Nambiar made a preliminary inspection of the FSIV analytical
laboratories in Hanoi (Activity 5.4) and formulated a plan for follow-up action on his next
visit.
From March 26 to April 7, field visits were made to project sites in Central Vietnam. Drs
Harwood, Beadle and Nambiar, accompanied by FSIV project staff, inspected candidate sites
for a long-term sustainability trial (Output 3.4) at Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province. FSIV staff
subsequently measured sample plots and excavated soil pits in the existing mature plantation
at the chosen trial site to examine site variation to assist design of the experiment. Drs
Harwood and Beadle then inspected candidate sites for thinning/pruning trials at Dong Hoi,
Quang Binh Province (Output 3.1) and laid out a one-hectare thinning trial there in a 2-year-
old acacia hybrid plantation. Subsequently, FSIV staff led by Mr Dang Thinh Trieu
established this trial successfully in May 2006, following written trial establishment
guidelines provided by Dr Beadle. Drs Beadle and Harwood then travelled to southern
Vietnam and inspected genetic and silvicultural trials and the CIFOR sustainability trial,

accompanied by FSIV project scientists Mr Phi Hong Hai and Mr Vu Dinh Huong.
Project funds for the first 12 months of operations, as per the project budget, were transferred
from Ensis to FSIV in April 2006.
The two-week study tour of Australia (Output 4.1) was conducted over the period May 27 –
June 10, 2006. Four senior science managers from FSIV and MARD took part:
Dr Pham Van Mach Deputy Director, Department of Science and Technology, MARD
Prof. Le Dinh Kha Scientific Advisor, Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement, Forest Science
Institute of Vietnam
Dr Tran Van Con Director, Silviculture Division, FSIV
Mr Pham Dinh Tam Director, Forest Science and Technology Application Centre

They were accompanied by four other managers sponsored by CARD Project 033/05 “Field
evaluation and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value
plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in Vietnam”:
Dr Ha Huy Thinh Director, Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement, FSIV
Dr Tran Van Con Director, Silviculture Division, FSIV
Mr Huu Vinh Tung Director, Lam Dong Silviculture and Experiment Station Centre, FSIV
Dr Huynh Duc Nhan Director, Forest Research Centre, Phu Ninh (Vinapaco)

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All eight participants visited laboratory and field research relevant to both projects in
Tasmania, Mt Gambier and SE Queensland. Further discussions were held on project
development and management during this visit. Detailed arrangements were made for visits
to Vietnam by Drs Harwood, Nambiar and Beadle before the end of calendar year 2006 to
implement scheduled project activities.

During the review period, good progress was made towards achieving Output 1 (the review
of best available acacia planting material) and Output 2, (the preparation of silvicultural
guidelines).

5.2 Smallholder Benefits
The project has not yet delivered direct benefits to smallholders, but this will occur later
during the project lifetime.
5.3 Capacity Building
Through a study tour to Australia in May-June 2006, the project has given eight senior forest
managers in MARD an appreciation of forest research that underpins plantation sustainability
and silviculture for sawlog production in Australia. Scientist in FSIV’s Silviculture Division
have received training in the setting up of scientific trials to estimate the growth response to
thinning.
5.4 Publicity
No major publicity events have yet taken place. However, the study tour to Australia
introduced the project to senior officials in MARD. Comprehensive photographic records of
field visits will enable production of publicity articles during the next six months.
5.5 Project Management
Project management is proceeding well. Face-to-face planning meetings occurred during the
Inception Visit in March 2006, and the study tour to Australia in May-June 2006. Regular
contact (several times per month) has been maintained between Ensis and FSIV by e-mail
and telephone, throughout the project to date. Since the project was formulated, Dr Trieu
Van Hung, the nominated Vietnamese Project Leader, has left FSIV to become Director of
the Department of Science and Technology in MARD. In view of Dr Hung’s heavy
workload, it was decided that Dr Ha Huy Thinh of FSIV should take over the role of Project
Leader.

6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
No specific issues have arisen during the reporting period.

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6.2 Gender and Social Issues
No specific issues have arisen during the reporting period. Gender balance in the scientific

and technical staff receiving training in the course of the project has been identified as an
issue requiring close attention.

7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1 Issues and Constraints
No major obstacles to the successful implementation of the project have emerged to date.
7.2 Options
Not applicable – project is proceeding as planned
7.3 Sustainability
As can be seen in the following Section, implementation of scheduled project activities over
the next six-month period will be critical for the success and ultimate sustainability of the
project.
8. Next Critical Steps
The silvicultural guidelines for acacia sawlog production and the review of genetic material
and propagation techniques will be completed and reports provided to CARD. Drs Harwood
and Nambiar will visit Vietnam in September 2006 and Dr Beadle will visit in November
2006, to guide several project activities. Guidelines for upgrading of the Hanoi laboratory
facilities will be provided. The major field trial to determine sustainability will be established
at Dong Ha, Central Vietnam. Additional silvicultural trials in young acacia plantations will
be established in central and northern Vietnam. Participants will be selected and
arrangements will be finalised for the 3-week training course to be conducted in Australia for
six Vietnamese scientists in March 2007.
9. Conclusion
Not applicable

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