PROJECT KICK-OFF: “PROMOTING THE CONSERVATION OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT FOR ETHNIC MINORITIES IN MOUNTAINOUS AREAS”

On April 26, 2024, in A luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province, the Center for Central Rural Development in Central Vietnam and the People’s Committee of A Luoi district jointly held a kick-off meeting for the project “Promoting the conservation of indigenous medicinal plants in association with livelihoods improvement for ethnic minorities in mountainous areas”.

Attending the workshop were more than 30 delegates who were representatives of the People’s Committee, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Women’s Union, Center for Agriculture Services, and Forest Ranger Department of A Luoi District; leaders and representatives of communities managing assigned or contracted forests in 03 communes of Quang Nham, Hong Kim and Hong Van; representative of ERM Foundation in Vietnam; pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, and the Center for Rural Development in Central Vietnam – the project implementation agency.

Dr. Trương Quang Hoang, Director of CRD, delivering the opening speech

Forest and forestry land area takes up about 98ha in A Luoi district, accounting for 67% of the natural area, in which natural forest occupies about 83 ha, and over 15 ha is allocated to communities for management and protection. With this natural forest area, A Luoi is home to more than 60% of plant species with medicinal value in Thua Thien Hue province. However, medicinal resources in A Luoi district are experiencing a sharp degradation. Roughly 27 rare and precious medicinal plant species that are at risk of extinction and need preservation. The decline in medicinal plant resources has affected public health, indigenous knowledge, people’s livelihoods, forest resources, and biodiversity.

The project “Promoting the conservation of indigenous medicinal plants in association with livelihood improvement for ethnic minorities in mountainous areas” was developed and implemented by the Center for Rural Development in Central Vietnam with financial support from ERM Foundation during 2024 – 2026 in 03 communes of Quang Nham, Hong Kim and Hong Van, A Luoi district, Thua Thiem Hue province with a total budget of USD 150.000, equivalent to VND 3,587,700,000. The overall objective of the project is to improve forest quality, to conserve biodiversity and to enhance the life of the residents, especially ethnic minority women, in the mountainous area of A Luoi district. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the project focuses on building capacity and raising awareness of the communities, including women, on issues related to sustainable resource management; promoting sustainable management, exploitation, and use of medicinal plant resources; developing production and generating income for the people, especially women, from medicinal plant resources.

At the meeting, after listening to sharing from CRD and ERM about the project, the participants discussed the cooperation mechanisms of stakeholders; the potential, opportunities, and challenges to develop medicinal plants in the district; and the potential medicinal products for business to generate income for the local people.

Mr. Hoang The Vinh – Representative of ERM Foundation introducing ERM’s support for sustainability

Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh – Representative of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of A Luoi district sharing about the local development orientation of medicinal plants

Mr. Ho Van Ngum – Vice Chairman of A Luoi district speaking at the meeting

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Ho Van Ngum, Vice Chairman of A Luoi district expressed that the project’s objectives and activities align with the local orientation on developing rare and precious medicinal plants. Therefore, the District commits to support and collaborate with CRD to effectively implement the project.

Participants in the kick-off meeting