The project targets poor upland farmers living in the three poorest districts of Bac Kan Province, in northern Viet Nam. Most of the farmers are members of the Nung, Dao, Mong and Tay ethnic minority groups. The province, which has limited agricultural land and rugged mountainous terrain, has the highest incidence of poverty in the country. Forestry resources are relatively undeveloped and there is significant potential for developing the livestock industry, aquaculture and tourism.

The project will help farmers in poor communities in upland areas whose livelihoods depend on cultivating hillside slopes and collecting non-timber forest products on the small areas of forest land allotted to them.  The project has the aim of benefiting poor farmers through:

• greater equity in allocation of forest land
• development of more sustainable hillside farming systems
• diversification of income-generating opportunities
• piloting payment for environmental services

Activities include establishment of village forestry management boards. The project will encourage poor households and community groups to apply for certificates giving them forest land use rights, and to participate in the preparation of forestry management plans. The community development fund will empower poor upland farmers to choose investments and services that meet their needs. The project will also provide specific opportunities for women in promoting women’s rights and gaining access to the community development fund.

Source: IFAD