Tài liệu Chiến lược lâm nghiệp quốc gia giai đoạn 2006 2020 en

Helvetas Vietnam – Swiss Association for International Cooperation ETSP – Extension and Training Support Project for Forestry and Agriculture in the Uplands 218 Doi Can Street, GPO Box 81, Hanoi, Vietnam; phone: +84 4 832 98 33, fax: +84 4 832 98 34 e-mail: [email protected] web site ETSP: http://www.etsp.org.vn, web site Helvetas Vietnam: http://www.helvetas.org.vn Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Forestry Department (MARD) Forest Sector Support Program and Partnership (FSSP-P) Result Area No. 8 Extension and Training Support Project (ETSP) Forestry Research, Education, Training and Extension (RETE) Situation Analysis, Needs Assessment and Recommendations for the National Forestry Strategy 2006 to 2020 Final Draft (RETE_EN_final draft_Sept2005.doc/pdf) Ha Noi, September 01, 2005 i Acknowledgements This study was undertaken by Mr Doan Diem1 and Mr Edwin Shanks2 (consultants), together with Mr Nguyen The Bach3, Coordinator of the Extension and Training Support Project (ETSP, http://www.etsp.org.vn). The authors would like to thank the many people who have participated in the study. This includes members of the Reference Group including representatives from the MARD Forestry Department, Organization and Personnel Department, Science and Technology Department, National Extension Center, Forest Sciences Institute, Forest Inventory and Planning Institute, Management Training School No. 1 and Xuan Mai Forestry University. Our thanks are also extended to the representatives of the province extension centers, forestry training schools, universities, and research centers whom we visited and who made such valuable contributions to the study (these organizations are listed in the Introduction Section). Our particular thanks are extended to Mr Pierre-Yves Suter (Chief Technical Adviser to ETSP) who provided essential guidance and inputs throughout the study, and to Ms Nguyen Kim Phuong and Ms Nguyen Thu Thuy from the ETSP office who provided kind and valuable assistance on the field work visits. 1 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 2 ii Abbreviations CPV EFA DAES DARD ETSP FD FDI FIPI FPD FMB FSIV FSSP&P GSO HRD ITTO MARD MOET MOLISA MPI NAEC NGO NTFP ODA OPD PAEAC PAEC PFPD PPA Program 661 RETE SFE SFSP SME VHLSS WTO Communist Party of Vietnam Education for All Action Plan (2003) District Agricultural Extension Station Department for Agriculture and Rural Development Extension and Training Support Project for Upland Agriculture and Forestry Forestry Department Foreign Direct Investment Forest Inventory and Planning Institute Forest Protection Department Forest Management Board Forest Sciences Institute of Vietnam Forest Sector Support Program & Partnership Government Statistics Office Human Resources Development International Tropical Timber Organization Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry of Education and Training Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Ministry of Planning and Investment National Agricultural Extension Centre Non-Governmental Organization Non-Timber Forest Products Official Development Assistance Organization and Personnel Department Provincial Agricultural Extension Advisory Council Province Agriculture Extension Centre Province Forest Protection Sub-Department Participatory Poverty Assessment Five Million Hectares Afforestation Program Research, Education, Training and Extension State Forest Enterprise Social Forestry Support Program Small- and Medium Sized Enterprise Vietnam Household and Living Standards Survey World Trade Organization iii List of Contents Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... i Abbreviations................................................................................................................................. ii List of Contents............................................................................................................................. iii Executive Summary........................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................6 1.1 Scope and objectives of the study ..............................................................................................6 1.2 Participants and fieldwork..........................................................................................................7 1.3 Introduction to forestry RETE in Vietnam.................................................................................8 1.4 Stakeholder groups and analytical approach ..............................................................................9 1.5 Content of the report ................................................................................................................10 2. Sector development trends and challenges for RETE .......................................................12 2.1 Strategic objectives of the sector..............................................................................................12 2.2 Global integration and national priorities.................................................................................12 2.3 The production sub-sectors ......................................................................................................13 2.3.1 Rapid growth in the wood processing sub-sector ............................................................14 2.3.2 Future directions in the plantation economy ...................................................................15 2.3.3 Craft villages in the forest production and processing economy.....................................16 2.4 Forest protection, co-management and benefit-sharing ...........................................................16 2.4.1 Multiple-use forest management systems for protection forest areas..............................17 2.4.2 Local participation in bio-diversity conservation ............................................................18 2.4.3 Environmental services....................................................................................................19 3. Human resource development priorities.............................................................................20 3.1 Current situation and main challenges in HRD........................................................................20 3.2 Encouraging new recruits into the sector .................................................................................21 3.3 Upgrading the knowledge and skills of in-service staff ...........................................................22 3.4 Forestry laborer training...........................................................................................................23 3.5 Increasing the contingent and capacity of forestry extension workers.....................................24 3.6 Improving the capacity of forestry researchers, educators and trainers ...................................25 4. RETE linkages and network analysis .................................................................................27 4.1 Overall considerations..............................................................................................................27 4.1.1 Building on formal and informal linkages.......................................................................27 4.1.2 Factors of supply and demand in the provision of RETE services ..................................28 4.1.3 Patterns of increasing diversification of services at the local level .................................28 4.2 Main strengths and weaknesses in the system..........................................................................30 4.2.1 Linkages within the education and training system.........................................................30 4.2.2 Linkages between forestry research and other parts of the system..................................31 4.2.3 Linkages with the province training schools and extension systems...............................32 4.2.4 Linkages with the forest production and processing sub-sectors ....................................33 4.2.5 Linkages with the SFEs and Forest Management Boards ...............................................33 4.3 Institutional constraints ............................................................................................................34 4.3.1 Investment in science, technology and training...............................................................34 4.3.2 Planning and financing constraints..................................................................................35 5. Solutions and Recommendations.........................................................................................37 5.1 Overall vision and strategy.......................................................................................................37 5.1.1 Sub-program objectives...................................................................................................37 5.2 Measures to improve the integration, relevance and effectiveness of RETE ...........................39 5.2.1 Promoting practical networking arrangements ................................................................39 5.2.2 Promoting institutional partnerships................................................................................41 5.2.3 Enhancing the demand-driven approach to forestry research..........................................42 5.2.4 Strengthening the education and training system ............................................................44 iv 5.2.5 5.2.6 Building capacities in forestry extension.........................................................................45 Financing and cost-norms................................................................................................47 Annex 1 Description of the RETE system..........................................................................................49 Annex 2 Guiding questions used in the fieldwork..............................................................................56 Annex 3 Terms of Reference for the Study ........................................................................................58 Annex 4 Examples of traditional forest industries in transition .........................................................62 1 Executive Summary The aim of this study is to provide an analytical foundation for development of a shared vision and strategy for future Research, Education, Training and Extension (RETE) in the forestry sector in Vietnam. The study has been carried out as one of the main activities and outputs of the Forest Sector Support Program and Partnership (FSSP) Action Plan for 2004 (Collaborative Action D1), and it has been supported by the Extension and Training Support Project (ETSP) under the Forestry Department (FD) of MARD. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: 1. To undertake a situation analysis and needs assessment of research, education, training and extension in the forestry sector together with key stakeholders and service providers at national, regional and provincial levels; 2. To make recommendations for steps that can be taken to enhance the complementarity and integration between the forestry research, education, training and extension subsectors and to improve the collaborative linkages between RETE organizations; 3. To provide an input to the formulation of the new National Forestry Strategy for the period 2006 to 2020, particularly with respect to the priorities for Human Resources Development (HRD). The Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment begins in Section 2 by highlighting some of the major development trends in the forestry sector and challenges for the future National Forestry Strategy (2006-2020). And it assesses the implications of these challenges for the forestry research, education, training and extension system. This is no means a fully comprehensive sector analysis. Rather, the aim here is to identify issues that have particular relevance for Human Resources Development with respect to the professional knowledge and skills that will be required by forestry planners, managers, technicians, researchers, trainers and forest producers etc. in the coming years. These HRD priorities for the National Forestry Strategy are examined in detail in Section 3 and can be summarized as follows: • First, how to maintain a sufficient number and quality of new recruits coming into the sector at professional technical and degree course levels, particularly for the forest production and protection sub-sectors; • Second, how to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the large number of existing professional staff in the localities and in different agencies including, particularly, staff of the FPD, SFEs and local administrations; • Third, how to provide effective vocational training for the large numbers of forestry workers (mostly untrained farmers) on the scale required to meet the target set by the CPV Central Committee of having 25% of trained workers by 2010 and 50% by 2020; • Fourth, how to increase the number and capacities of forestry extension workers on the ground, particularly in forest-dependent areas (districts and communes) in the uplands; • Fifth, how to up-grade the qualifications, skills and capacities of staff of the forestry researchers, educators and trainers so they are able to adequately support these efforts and to improve the quality of education and training. Section 4 then provides an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in the existing (horizontal and vertical) linkages between the different RETE Service Providers and RETE 2 Client Groups. This looks at both the formal (institutional) and informal aspects of these linkages in the system, as assesses factors of ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ in the provision of these services. Leading on from this, Section 4 also makes an assessment of the regulatory framework in the current Forest Development Strategy (2002-2010), and it identifies a number of institutional constraints that influence the extent that RETE organizations can effectively collaborate. In particular, a number of critical investment and financing constraints are identified, and solutions to these constraints are proposed. Section 5 makes proposals for the future vision and main strategic directions of the RETE system in the new National Forestry Strategy, together with a set of concrete recommendations for how to improve the organizational linkages, integration and complementarity between the sub-sectors. These proposals are formulated in such a way that they could form a collaborative program of activities that could be adopted and financed through the FSSP and/or by specific forestry projects. The proposed long-term vision is as follows: RETE Vision 2020: To improve the quality and efficiency of forestry training and education, extension, and science and technology based on future needs, to develop the human resources with high quality for the sector, and to link research activities, training and extension with forestry businesses, in order to fulfil national development objectives (towards industrialization and modernization of the sector) and implementation of the National Forestry Strategy 2006-2020. The special focus is on the forest sector’s contribution, both direct and indirect, to the national economy, environmental protection, and achieving better living standards for forest-dependent people. The proposed main strategic priorities of the RETE sub-programs are as follows: Research sub-program • Finalize the forestry research strategy for 2006-2020 on the basis of MARD’s National Forestry Development Strategy for 2006-2020. • Concentrate more on demand-driven research projects that help those farmers involved in forest management and protection to support themselves with the income derived from forestry-related production and employment. • Conduct more research on sustainable plantation and natural forest management, with a strong focus on selected industrial plantations that have commercial high-yield crops for export and domestic consumption purposes. To put more investment into technology to ensure the supply of 90% of wood for local consumption and 80% for export by 2020. • Improve processing technologies and facilities, support small-scale and industrial processing enterprises to find new domestic and export markets, and enhance the competitive advantages of the forest industries with respect to international integration. • Enhance research capacities and facilities, adopt improved research approaches that integrate more fully with training and extension, and develop human resources for effective implementation of forest sector development programs. • Align research institutes, forestry extension and training schools with forestry-related businesses and production establishments. 3 • Provide the scientific basis for development of policies that serve essential needs for the forest sector (in the socialization of forestry sector, development of a stable forest area, environmental values etc.). • Enhance international collaboration in order to improve the capacity of researchers and to transfer technologies especially in high yielding plantations. Forestry extension sub-program • Provide forest-dependent farmers and communities with technical know-how necessary to make their own agro-forestry business plans, to apply advanced technologies to improve productivity, forest quality, environmental and ecological protection, thus resulting in better living standards for forest-dependent people. • Introduce special forestry extension measures for forest-dependent communities (communes, villages and population groups) that have large forest areas, through community forestry management practices, farm forestry and market development. • Enhance the socialization of agriculture and forestry extension. • Increase the contingent and capacity for forestry extension workers at the grass-roots level systematically to assist farmers, particularly those in forest-dependent areas. • Improve forestry extension methods, develop and update training curricula, and focus more on short-term training courses that farmers can afford and grasp; module-based training must be standardized. The content of extension work should focus on forest plantations, natural forest management, processing, product trading and agro-forestry. • Link forestry extension agencies, research centers and farmers to forestry-related businesses and production units. • Coordinate and disseminate more widely the many existing extension and training methods and materials that are already developed by different RETE organizations and projects. • Help to create closer linkages between management staff, researchers, businesses and producers. • Provide vocational and advanced trainings for traditional wood processing and craft villages in order to maintain and increase the quality of the products to meet the increasing demand of both, domestic and international markets. Education and training sub-program • Change comprehensively the training system including the structure, curricula, content, teaching methods and management mechanisms to improve training quality. Focus on short-course modules for farmers, enterprise workers and craft villages, and refresher training for in-service staff, especially with policies to give incentives for staff working in remote areas. • Provide formal trainings for around 10’000 students/year (of which 160 are post graduates, 1’650 graduates, 900 from colleges, 1’900 mainly from technical training schools and 5’100 from vocational training schools). • Increase the number of trained workers in the sector to 25% by 2010 and 50% by 2020 by delivering high-quality training services driven by market demands, and focus more on short-term training courses (with an annual increase of 80%). 4 • Strengthen the socialization of training. • Meet the sectoral requirements in the international integration process. Encourage them to study and undertake research by themselves, build up their practical experience, to learn foreign languages and computer skills. • Clarify and strengthen the respective tasks and functions of the different forestry education and training organizations, with respect to their major target groups, standardized curricula, and provision of regular and contract-based training services. • Enhance the linkages between the forestry training schools and the provincial training schools and extension system at province, district and commune levels. • Enhance international collaboration in forestry education and training, and access to advanced training standards of the world, with some institutions achieving international standards in the forest sector by the year 2015. The main recommendations for improving the linkages, integration and complementarity between the RETE sub-sectors and organizations are as follows: 1. Establish stronger networking arrangements between RETE organizations that focus on fulfilling practical tasks and assignments related to implementation of the National Forest Strategy, and which have clear benefits for each participating organization. 2. Encourage the formation of more intensive ‘institutional partnerships’ and ‘twinning arrangements’ between RETE organizations (research, education and training centers) and forestry production, protection and processing units. 3. Encourage the further development of specialized ‘research and development units’ and ‘training service centers’ under RETE organizations that provide out-reach services, but only in such a way that will not lead to institutional fragmentation. 4. Develop policies and mechanisms to encourage a wider set of private sector agencies and socio-economic organizations to become more actively involved in forestry research, training and socialization of extension services. 5. For the forestry research system – establish mechanisms and clear guidelines (‘codes-ofpractice’) to ensure that the strategic direction and content of research is based on wellinformed assessments of demand, and that there is effective follow-up and dissemination of results. 6. For the education and training system – clarify and strengthen the respective tasks and functions of the different forestry education and training organizations with respect to their major target groups, updated and standardized curricula, and provision of regular and contract-based training services. 7. Concentrate on developing modular-based training systems and courses that can be utilized in different training contexts (as part of regular training programs and for shortcourse / in-service training), which are jointly prepared by different RETE organizations, and which provide the focal point for up-dating curricula nationwide. 8. For the extension system – strengthen the contingent and capacity of forestry extension at all levels, but particularly to increase the number and skills of forestry extension staff working in forest-dependent rural areas in the uplands. 9. In the longer term perspective, move towards more integrated forms of in-service training and extension training that utilize modern Information Communications 5 Technology, mass media channels, and the development of distance learning systems in order to obtain the required out-reach. 10. Revise and up-date the system of cost-norms for research, training and extension activities to reflect current sector priorities, current costs for different types of work, and to provide better incentives for people to work in remote forest areas in particular. 6 1. Introduction 1.1 Scope and objectives of the study The aim of this study is to provide an analytical foundation for development of a shared vision and strategy for future Research, Education, Training and Extension (RETE) in the forestry sector in Vietnam. The study has been carried out as one of the main activities and outputs of the Forest Sector Support Program and Partnership (FSSP) Action Plan for 2004 (Collaborative Action D1), and it has been supported by the Extension and Training Support Project (ETSP) under the Forestry Department (FD) of MARD. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: 1. To undertake a situation analysis and needs assessment of research, education, training and extension in the forestry sector together with key stakeholders and service providers at national, regional and provincial levels; 2. To make recommendations for steps that can be taken to enhance the complementarity and integration between the forestry research, education, training and extension subsectors and to improve the collaborative linkages between RETE organizations; 3. To provide an input to the formulation of the new National Forestry Strategy for the period 2006 to 2020, particularly with respect to the priorities for Human Resources Development (HRD). At the outset, it should be noted that the report concentrates on identifying broad strategic issues and opportunities, rather than going in detail into the specific requirements within each RETE sub-sector. The authors also assume that readers have prior understanding of the organization, policies and programs of the forestry sector in Vietnam. Accordingly, in order to keep the report to a manageable size, we do not give a lot of detailed background information in the report. Reference can be made to resource documents and an outline of the RETE system given in Annex 1. The report takes into account the provisions and new directions set out in the new Law on Forest Protection and Development passed by the National Assembly in December 20044. Reference is also made to Decree No. 565 from April 2005 on agriculture and fisheries promotion, which provides the framework for future development of the extension system in Vietnam. Reference can also be made to the draft Forestry Research Strategy6 which is currently under formulation, and to the submission on the proposed re-organization of the science and technology system under MARD7; these documents give more details on the current situation and proposed future directions in the forestry research system. 4 Order No.25/2005/L-CTN (dated 14 December 2004) of the President promulgating the Law on Forest Protection and Development. 5 Decree No.56/2005/ND-CP (dated 26 April 2005) of the Government on agriculture promotion and fisheries promotion. 6 MARD. 2004. Vietnam Forestry Research Strategy to 2020 (Draft). 7 MARD. 2004. Submission to the Prime Minister on proposal for reorganization of the science and technology system under MARD. 7 1.2 Participants and fieldwork In conducting the study we have strived to adopt a consultative approach at all stages, and the report incorporates the ideas and suggestions given by a large number of people from a range RETE organizations nationwide and at different levels. The concept of the study and Terms of Reference were initially shared and discussed with FSSP Partners, and approved by the FSSP Technical Executive Committee in January 2004. The scope and objectives of the study were then further refined together with a Reference Group consisting of representatives from the key departments of MARD and national RETE organizations including: • • • • • • • • Forestry Department Organization and Personnel Department Science and Technology Department National Extension Center Forest Sciences Institute (FSIV) Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (FIPI) Management Training School No. 1 Xuan Mai Forestry University. In the early discussions held with the Reference Group, it was recommended by the group that the study should concentrate mainly on how to improve the linkages between the RETE sub-sectors and organizations, with a view to improving the complementarity, relevance and impact of forestry research, education, training and extension. Accordingly, the fieldwork and analysis made in this report focuses on this particular set of issues. The study involved a series of field-visits in the north and south of the country and meetings with leaders and staff from a range of RETE organizations (the guiding questions used in these discussions are given in Annex 2). These organizations include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Province Extension Centre, Lang Son Province Province Extension Centre, Quang Ninh Province Province Extension Centre, Dong Nai Province Management Training School No. 1 (Ha Noi) Management Training School No. 2 (Ho Chi Minh City) Forest Sciences Institute Sub-centre (Ho Chi Minh City) Forest Inventory and Planning Sub-Institute (Ho Chi Minh City) Central Forestry High School No. 1 (Quang Ninh) Central Forestry High School No. 2 (Dong Nai) Technical Vocational School No. 1 (Lang Son) Technical Vocational School No. 3 (Binh Duong) Central Vocational School for Wood Processing (Ha Nam) Xuan Mai Forestry University A joint meeting in Ha Noi with staff from the Faculties of Agriculture and Forestry from Tay Nguyen, Thu Duc, Thai Nguyen and Hue Universities. • Meetings in Ha Noi with representatives from donors/NGOs and projects involved in FSSP (Result Area 8) and following-up meetings with MARD departments. 8 The fieldwork for the study concentrated mainly on visiting the Forestry High Schools, Technical Vocational Schools and research sub-centers because, in general, there has been less consultation with these particular RETE stakeholders in previous studies. With respect to extension, on the other hand, there have been several surveys undertaken with farmers and local communities in different parts of the country in recent years. These include: (i) a detailed survey of extension needs amongst poor groups undertaken by the NGO working group on extension8; (ii) a farmer needs survey undertaken by the MARD Public Administration Reform Project9; and (iii) the Participatory Poverty Assessments (PPAs) undertaken in 7 regions of the country as part of the Vietnam Poverty Assessment for 200210. These studies provide in-depth analysis of extension and training needs and priorities, which also provide a background for our study. All the meetings and discussions held during the study were highly stimulating and productive. It is the sincere hope of the authors that the report accurately documents the ideas and suggestions of the participants, and reflects consensus viewpoints in a coherent manner. At the same time, the report puts forward a number of observations and ideas specifically from the authors, particularly with respect to long-term strategic options for how to improve the quality and effectiveness of forestry research, education, training and extension services. These are tabled as ‘options for discussion’ rather than as firm recommendations in the spirit of promoting active discussion on the best way to move forward. 1.3 Introduction to forestry RETE in Vietnam For the purpose of this study, the following functional definitions of research, education, training and extension are used: RESEARCH. • The research conducted by the FSIV and FIPI and their regional and disciplinary sub-centers, and by the Forestry Universities, is mainly applied research but also includes elements of basic research. Applied research focuses on the development of forest technologies (e.g. seed multiplication and silviculture systems), forest land use planning methods, and studies on policy applications and socio-economics etc. Another type of research, which is commonly carried-out by the forestry education and training organizations, includes demonstration plots and field trials that are used for both teaching purposes as well as testing species and technologies in the field. • EDUCATION. This refers to formal full-time education programs lasting one or more years which lead to: (i) vocational qualifications as provided by the Forestry Technical Vocational Schools under MARD and the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Schools; (ii) technical qualifications as provided by the Central Forestry High Schools; (iii) diploma and degree qualifications as provided by the Forestry University and Agriculture and Forestry Colleges of the regional universities; and (iv) post-graduate degree qualifications as provided by the Forestry Universities and FSIV. As defined by law the 8 NGO Working Group. 2005. Agricultural extension services for the poor: ethnic minority and gender issues in agricultural extension. NGO sub-group on agricultural extension for the poor. 9 Public Administration Reform Project. 2002. Farmer Needs Study. Public Administration Reform Project (VIE/98/004), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi. 10 See the PPA reports from: Ha Giang, Nghe An, Quang Tri, Dak Lak, Ben Tre, Lao Cai, Ninh Thuan, Hai Duong and Ha Tay provinces (published by the Poverty Task Force in 2003). 9 higher education institutions can issue certificate for the lower training institutions; for example, universities for colleges and for the technical vocational training schools. This also includes part-time degree programs (Continuing Education) that are provided to upgrade the formal qualifications of in-service staff from province, district and increasingly commune levels and which are provided in the provinces. • TRAINING. This is a broad category that includes a range of different types of formal and non-formal training, including: (i) certificate training courses directly provided by training institutions under DOLISA (according to Circular No. 65 dated 02/07/2004); (ii) re-fresher short courses as provided by MARD through the budget for re-fresher training for in-service staff (for instance, as allocated to the Management Schools and other training organizations); and (iii) non-formal training courses provided by development projects and programs and other agencies for managers, extension workers and farmers etc. • EXTENSION: As applied in the Government extension system this generally includes a combination of: (i) farmer demonstration models; (ii) extension worker / farmer training; (iii) formation of farmer groups or extension clubs; combined with (iv) support for input supplies. A wider range of ‘farmer-to-farmer’ or ‘farmer-led’ extension methods and approaches are promoted by many donor/NGO supported projects. Many RETE organizations and development projects also promote methodologies that span the divide between these sub-sectors. This includes the farmer field schools (FFS) approach that was first introduced through the Integrated Pest Management Program, which aims to integrate extension with training and hands-on applied research carried out jointly by farmers and technicians. Recently, this approach has been extended to the forestry sector, for instance in forest management field schools promoted by several projects. Also included are methods such as participatory technology development (PTD) and market analysis and development (MAD) that have been introduced by a number of forestry projects and research centers in recent years. These types of collaborative action research and extension are conducted in a development context together with forest farmers and local communities. 1.4 Stakeholder groups and analytical approach The study uses a method of institutional and social network analysis11 in order to examine the interactions and linkages between the different stakeholders involved in forestry research, education, training and extension (see Figure 1 and Section 3). Figure 1 shows that in addition to the main RETE organizations (listed in Annex 1) there is a wide range of other stakeholders involved in these activities. These stakeholders can be broadly categorized into RETE Service Providers (i.e. research, education, training and extension organizations) and a number of RETE Client Groups (including local government administrations, forest producers, State Forest Enterprises, grassroots extension workers, forest industries, and forest farmers etc.). This is not a hard-and-fast categorization, since some stakeholders (such as the Province Extension Centers and District Extension Stations) are in practice both ‘service providers’ as well as being ‘clients’ of the research, education and training system. Similarly, development 11 Davies, Rick. 2003. Network Perspectives in the Evaluation of Development Intervention. Paper for the Conference on New Directions in Impact Assessment for Development, EDAIS, November 2003. 10 projects supported by donors and NGOs draw on the services of research and training organizations, as well being involved in supporting the delivery of RETE services on the ground. Nonetheless, this framework does help us to analyze the strengths and weaknesses in the horizontal linkages between the RETE Service Providers, and in the vertical linkages with the various RETE Client Groups. 1.5 Content of the report Following this introduction, the report is divided into three main sections. The Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment begins in Section 2 by highlighting some of the major development trends in the forestry sector and challenges for the future National Forestry Strategy (2006-2020). And it assesses the implications of these challenges for the forestry research, education, training and extension system. This is no means a fully comprehensive sector analysis. Rather, the aim here is to identify issues that have particular relevance for HRD with respect to the professional knowledge and skills that will be required by forestry planners, managers, technicians, researchers, trainers and forest producers etc. in the coming years. These HRD priorities and examined in detail in Section 3. Section 4 then provides an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in the existing (horizontal and vertical) linkages between the different RETE Service Providers and Client Groups. This looks at both the institutional (formal) and informal aspects of these linkages in the system, as assesses factors of ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ in the provision of these services. Leading on from this, Section 3 also makes an assessment of the regulatory framework in the current Forest Development Strategy (2002-2010), and it identifies a number of institutional constraints that influence the extent that RETE organizations can effectively collaborate. In particular, a number of critical investment and financing constraints are identified, and solutions to these constraints are proposed. Finally, Section 5 makes proposals for the future vision and main strategic directions of the RETE system in the new National Forestry Strategy, together with a set of concrete recommendations for how to improve the organizational linkages, integration and complementarity between the sub-sectors. These proposals are formulated in such a way that they could form a collaborative program of activities that could be adopted and financed through the FSSP and/or by specific forestry projects. 11 Figure 1 Schematic View of RETE ‘Service Providers’ and ‘Client Groups’ HORIZONTAL LINKAGES Extension Administration • • • • • MARD: FD FPD OPD STD… • National Extension Centre (NEC) • Other departments of MARD • PPC • DARD • Province Extension Centres • DPC • ARDS • District Extension Stations • CPC • Other sections doing extension Education & Training • • • • • Management Schools (2) Forestry University (1) Forestry High Schools (3) Tech. Vocational Schools (5) Service centers under training organizations Research Others • FSIV • FIPI • Regional research sub-centers • Disciplinary Research sub-centers • International organizations (e.g. ICRAF, RECOFTC) • University Colleges of Agriculture and Forestry (Tay Nguyen, Thu Duc, Hue and Thai Nguyen) under MOET • Other research & development companies / centres (e.g. seed, paper) i • Province Agriculture and Forestry Schools & other PTIs • Province adaptive research centres • Donors & INGOs • Associations • Private sector services • Media agencies • Development projects R.E.T.E. CLIENT GROUPS Government agencies Forest Protection units SFEs and FMBs Grassroots extension workers Forest industries & companies Household / small-scale enterprises Forest producers Forest dependent communities VERTICAL LINKAGES R.E.T.E. SERVICE PROVIDERS 12 2. Sector development trends and challenges for RETE 2.1 Strategic objectives of the sector The forestry sector in Vietnam is given three broad strategic objectives: • An Economic Development Objective, which focuses on fostering commercial tree growing including farm-forestry and industrial plantations, the development of mixed forestry-agricultural farming systems, and economically viable processing enterprises and industries utilizing timber and other forest products. • An Environmental Protection Objective, which focuses on the means to protect areas with natural forest, to increase the forest cover in these areas through natural regeneration and planting on bare-land, and to increase number of environmental services through the conservation of valuable biodiversity resources, vulnerable watershed areas, coastlines and cities, climate amelioration, and ecological tourism; • A Social Development Objective, which focuses meeting the basic needs of rural households contributing to poverty reduction, through forest land allocation to households and population communities, community forestry and the provision of forestry extension services, and employment generation in forest enterprises; At the current stage in Vietnam’s socio-economic development, we can say that the sector faces many challenges in creating a modern, dynamic, effective and efficient forestry administration and technical support services that will be able to fulfil these combined economic, social and environmental objectives in the coming decades. Vietnam is not alone in this respect – as the forestry sector in many other countries around the world is facing similar challenges in adapting to the modern world. These challenges are associated with increasing global integration and changes in the international trade environment; the increasing attention paid by Governments and donors to biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction; the need to adopt improved forest management practices that incorporate these wider development objectives of the sector; and changes in the profile of forest sector institutions. 2.2 Global integration and national priorities Global integration comes with new economic opportunities and risks for forest producers, processors and exporters, and there is an urgent need for the sector to build capacity to support this process in an effective way. It is recognized by the Government that there is a need to boost the economic contribution and efficiency of the sector, which is currently seen to be under-performing in economic terms. This is through science and technology development, and investment in forest production and processing industries to make them more competitive. At the same time, the importance of Vietnam’s forest resources for biodiversity conservation is increasingly recognized in the international arena. To give two brief examples – Vietnam is home to 5 of the world’s 25 most endangered primates, and the country has recently been registered as the 10th global hotspot for conifer species (with several new conifer species 13 discovered in the last 5 years)12. Vietnam’s geographical position spanning tropical and subtropical zones, and its location within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, means that there is a unique range of biodiversity present in the country. However, much of this bio-diversity is under threat. Conserving these resources through better protected area management and new forms of co-management arrangements with local communities is of high national and international importance. At this stage in Vietnam’s rapid industrial and urban development, issues of environmental quality and damage are also becoming more critical. And there is an increasingly important role for the forestry sector in providing ‘services’ in environmental protection and improvement that extend beyond the traditional forest management practices of watershed area protection (for example, through relatively new disciplines to Vietnam such as urban forestry, environmental stabilization round industrial sites, and coastal disaster mitigation). An important aspect of global integration is the need to link international and regional policy instruments to sector strategies and policies, and to effective application of these policies through improved forest management practices. This includes the conventions and treaties on trade and biodiversity which have been signed by the Government. For example, Vietnam has signed two of the key international agreements in relation to the management of biodiversity: the first is the Convention on Biological Diversity (1994) and the second is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1994). International discussions around these conventions are covering many new approaches to trade legislation and biodiversity conservation, including ways to more actively involve local communities in sustainable management of protected areas, and cross-border agreements on protected area management. Similarly, much of the international debate on forest trade currently focuses on issues of timber and product certification, and standards for sustainable management and production, in relation to ITTO, WTO and AFTA for instance. However, understanding of the content and implications of these international policy instruments concerning both trade and biodiversity is still limited amongst many forestry researchers and trainers, as well as amongst forest managers and planners at provincial level. One of the main constraints in this respect continues to be limited English language skills amongst many foresters which limits their direct access to external sources of information, and restricts communication and negotiation with foreign counterparts in other regions of the world. We can say that reform of the content and approach to forestry research, education, training and extension will be essential for meeting these challenges posed by global integration. And there is an urgent need to ‘revitalize’ and ‘modernize’ the human resource base in the sector in terms of its professional knowledge and skills to cope with these changes. 2.3 The production sub-sectors The forest sector in Vietnam contributes just over 1% of national GDP, although it is likely this figure underestimates the true economic value of the sector in terms of its contribution to local people’s livelihoods and ‘environmental services’ such as watershed and coastal protection. In all parts of the country, a considerable number of rural people obtain occasional income or employment from the collection, transport, processing and/or trading of forest 12 Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Duc To Luu, P.I. Thomas. A. Farjon, L. Averyanov & J. Regalado. 2004. Vietnam Conifers: Conservation Status Review 2004. Fauna & Flora International, Vietnam Program, Hanoi. 14 products for sale in local markets, or in association with the enterprise sector. This represents a substantial ‘hidden forest economy’ that remains un-quantified and is not fully recognized in official statistics based on industrial output. Patterns of growth in the forest economy in recent years present a sharply contrasting picture. On the one hand, there has been rapid growth in the wood processing sub-sector involving both SMEs and industrial scale enterprises. On the other hand, the production sub-sector (economic plantations) has been stagnant with limited growth for many years. The forest sector cannot meet the increasing demands on timber and other forest products for export and domestic consumption. For example, 80 to 90% of timber used for export products has to be imported which puts these industries in a vulnerable situation. Meeting the demands for export and domestic consumption of timber and NTFPs is a challenging task for the sector, and has important implications for future research, education, training and extension. 2.3.1 Rapid growth in the wood processing sub-sector This has been fuelled by demand from both domestic and export markets. It is estimated that exports from wood processing industries reached a turn-over of USD 567 million in 2003 and of USD 1,12 billion in 2004. These developments have built on the considerable skills of the Vietnamese labour force in handicraft industries, and the quality of products which are seen to be internationally competitive. This has contributed greatly to creating employment for a large number of forestry workers, particularly in the south of the country. There is also a high market demand for vocational skills training in wood processing amongst laborers and from the processing enterprises and industries. Recent legislation has been introduced to support continued growth in the wood processing sub-sector13. Directive No. 19 envisages a growth wood product exports to reach USD 2 billion by 2010. The Directive gives high priority to increasing the quality and amount of training for workers and technicians, combined with expanding and up-grading the capacity and facilities of the Forestry Training Schools to provide this. Research and development is also required to increase the production and utilization of domestic timber sources; to expand the use of other materials (such as laminates and composites); and to improve processing technologies to ensure a balance between industrial development and sustainable production. Much of the development in wood processing industries has been in peri-urban areas of the south of the country. In the rural areas, support for the development of SMEs, craft villages and household enterprises engaged in wood processing could also play a significant role in boosting local employment and incomes in these areas in the future – provided that start-up capital, skills training, sustainable raw material supplies, and viable markets are available. At the same time, locally grown craft products (such as rattan, bamboo) are an important source of raw material for processing industries, and are potentially an increasingly important source of income for farmers in some areas (see Section 2.3.3 below). A big constraint in the development of rural SMEs and household enterprises is that there is no service agency working on the ground that is clearly responsible for advising farmers on market analysis and marketing, and on technology and product development. The agroforestry extension service has support for market development as one of its objectives – but a majority of extension workers have very limited knowledge and skills in this topic. This is Directive No.19/2004/CT-TTg (dated 1 June 2004) of the Prime Minister regarding a number of solutions to the development of wood-processing industry and wood export industry. 13 15 clearly an important area for capacity building within the extension service in the future, in collaboration with other concerned agencies at province level including the Departments of Trade, Industries and Education and Training. Recent legislation provides a better framework for the provision of training and advisory services for rural industries in general14, as well as a new program of human resource training for small- and medium sized enterprises15. The new Decree No. 56 on extension also places greater emphasis on the provision of advisory and technical support services for small- and medium sized rural enterprises in formulation of investment projects for development of agriculture, fisheries and rural crafts16. The challenge, in this respect, is to build up the technical and economic skills of the local extension organizations and staff so they have something valuable to offer producers, as well as linking producers to markets in ways that yield value-added benefits to the consumers and profits for the producers17. 2.3.2 Future directions in the plantation economy The disparity between the production and processing sub-sectors is reflected in the fact that the demand for timber is much higher than domestic supply – with an estimated 80 to 90% of the timber needed for wood processing export industries currently being imported. The reliance on timber imports is partly due to the prohibitions on logging. But it is also due to the generally low quality and productivity of many existing forest plantations, many of which are under the State Forest Enterprises (SFEs). While the area of forest cover under plantations has been steadily increasing in recent years, much of this is planted with low value tree species, with the primary aim of providing protection cover on bare-land. With the renewed attention being given by the Government and MARD to the reform and development of the SFEs, there is a need for increased technical support for the SFEs to develop economically viable forest production systems. However, as will be shown in the following section (Section 3.2.5), currently the linkages between the research, education and training organizations and the SFEs are amongst the weakest linkages in the RETE system. At the same time, it is recognized that the SFEs are often lacking in both capacity and motivation to receive new technologies and innovations. In the past, FDI and domestic private sector investment in the plantation economy has been limited, although there is some indication that this situation is changing with the growth in demand from processing industries. The new Law on Forest Protection and Development provides a more conducive basis for this, with stronger provisions for the leasing of production forests to forest farmers, domestic economic organizations, overseas Vietnamese and foreign economic organizations18. However, the future potential for development of the plantation economy is uncertain for a number of reasons. In some parts of Vietnam there is scope for investment in industrial plantations, which may include ‘contract grower schemes’ with farm households. However, these opportunities will 14 Decree No.134/2004/ND-CP (dated 9 June 2004) of the Government encouraging the development of rural industries. 15 Decision No.143/2004/QD-TTg (dated 10 August 2004) of the Prime Minister approving the program on human resource training support for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the 2004-2008 period. 16 Decree No.56/2005/ND-CP (Chapter II / Article 7). 17 ADB. 2005. Making Markets Work for Poor Communes. Discussion Paper, Making Markets Work for the Poor Research Program, ADB, Ha Noi. 18 Chapter II / Section 2 / Article 24 of the Law on Forest Protection and Development.