CHARACTERIZING AGRO-FORESTRY SYSTEMS IN DIEM HAMLET, CHAU KHE COMMUNE, CON CUONG DISTRICT, NGHE AN PROVINCE

Abstract

    In order to discover their potential for development, this study aims to characterize the agro-forestry systems (AFS) in Diem - a remote village of Chau Khe commune located within the buffer zone of Viet Nam’s Pu Mat National Park. Secondary data collected from available district and provincial sources were combined with primary data obtained by seven different methods. In order to evaluate the potential of the current AFS models, the study focused on analyzing three aspects: social, economic and environmental benefits. Results of the study showed two types of AFS which were currently adopted in Diem village: traditional and innovative. The analytical results also showed that all land use types in current AFS in Diem were profitable with positive Net Present Values (NPV). The livelihoods of local people depended much on on-farm and off-farm activities. Of these, cassava planting, acacia plantation, and animal husbandry were considered the main productions contributing to household income. A cost benefit analysis of potential alternative livelihood options in Diem indicated that gross revenues for bamboo and acacia plantations were 6 million and 18 million VND/ha respectively while cassava growing generated only 2.5 million VND/ha. With regard to the environmental aspect of the AFS model, the study indicated that the average above-ground forest carbon stock in designed strata in Diem is 40.15 tons/ha, however there was more than 70 tons/ha in variance between the maximum and the minimum values. Interestingly, the plots that have few trees and where bamboo is the dominant tree, carbon stock is often low. Enhancing benefits from shifting cultivation planning area, conducting forest land allocation or contracts for forest protection, and developing home gardens and forest gardens are three proposed recommendations for sustainable development of AFS in Diem.