The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Vietnam is developing a Priority Program for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Vietnam for the period 2005-2008, based on the results of the project supporting non-timber forest products.
By the end of 2005, the total investment in conservation activities and the development of non-timber forest products from the project is expected to reach nearly 2.4 million euros.
The project has directly supported nearly 1,000 poor households in accessing, harvesting, understanding the market, and developing non-timber forest products at pilot sites in five provinces: Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri.
At a seminar with the press on October 19 in Quang Ninh, the Specialty Forest Research Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – the implementing agency of the project – along with IUCN, introduced six groups of natural non-timber forest products that could help local people improve their economy and reduce poverty if they are protected, sustainably exploited, and developed. These groups include fibers, medicinal plants, extracts, food products, wildlife, and ornamental plants.