Reported by: Tran Thi Phuong, National Project Coordinator of Project 8748, Van Thi Yen, Project Management Director of Project 8748, and Vo Hao Quang, Project Support Officer at CCCSC
Date: September 1, 2023
Time: Afternoon
Location: A Roàng Agricultural – Medicinal Cooperative, Hamlet A Roàng 1, A Roàng Commune, A Lưới District, Thua Thien Hue Province
Link to detailed report: [Link to detailed report]
Summary
On September 1, 2023, a field work team from the 8748 Project visited the A Roàng Agricultural – Medicinal Cooperative in A Lưới District, Thua Thien Hue Province. The team was composed of Tran Thi Phuong, the National Project Coordinator of Project 8748, Van Thi Yen, the Project Management Director of Project 8748, and Vo Hao Quang, a Project Support Officer at CCCSC.
The purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of the cooperative’s participation in the 8748 Project. The team met with the cooperative’s board of directors and management team to discuss the cooperative’s activities and challenges. The team also visited the cooperative’s forest plantation and medicinal garden to assess their condition.
Findings
The team found that the cooperative has made significant progress in its participation in the 8748 Project. The cooperative has developed a forest management plan that is aligned with the FSC certification standards. The cooperative has also trained its members on sustainable forest management practices. The cooperative has also established a medicinal garden that is home to a variety of medicinal plants.
The team also found that the cooperative is facing some challenges. The cooperative is located in a remote area, which makes it difficult to access markets for its products. The cooperative also lacks the financial resources to invest in its infrastructure.
Recommendations
The team recommends that the cooperative continue to focus on its forest management practices. The cooperative should also work to develop markets for its products and to secure financial resources.
Specific recommendations:
- The cooperative should continue to implement its forest management plan.
- The cooperative should develop a marketing plan to promote its products.
- The cooperative should seek funding from government agencies or development organizations.
Conclusion
The team is confident that the A Roàng Agricultural – Medicinal Cooperative has the potential to achieve FSC certification. The cooperative has the commitment and the capacity to implement sustainable forest management practices. The cooperative will need to address the challenges it faces, but with the right support, it can achieve its goals.
Specific findings and recommendations for the forest plantation:
- The team found that the forest plantation is well-managed and is in good condition.
- The team recommended that the cooperative continue to monitor the forest plantation for pests and diseases.
- The team also recommended that the cooperative develop a plan to replant trees that have been damaged or destroyed.
Specific findings and recommendations for the medicinal garden:
- The team found that the medicinal garden is well-maintained and is home to a variety of medicinal plants.
- The team recommended that the cooperative continue to expand the medicinal garden.
- The team also recommended that the cooperative develop a plan to market the medicinal plants that are grown in the garden.
The team is confident that the A Roàng Agricultural – Medicinal Cooperative is well-positioned to achieve its goals. The cooperative has the commitment, capacity, and support it needs to succeed.