An economic analysis of reforestation with a native tree species

The case of Vietnamese farmers

authored by

Trung Thanh Nguyen, Thomas Koellner, Quang Bao Le, Cosmas Kombat Lambini, Ikchang Choi, Hio jung Shin, Van Dien Pham

Abstract

The area of degraded forests in Vietnam is substantial, currently about 3.1 million ha of which about 1.7 million ha (55 %) were granted to individual farms for reforestation. However, the result of farmers' reforestation efforts is limited. We aimed to examine the financial return, technical efficiency, and factors determining reforestation with a native tree species (Canarium album) by farms. Our results showed that reforestation with C. album is less financially profitable than that with an exotic tree species (Acacia mangium) as the alternative land use option. The subsidy from the government is found insufficient to compensate for the income losses of farmers participating in reforestation with the native tree species. Reforestation with C. album could be more successful if participating farmers were equipped to be more technically efficient. Finally, our findings clearly showed that the security of forest land property rights and the provision of forest extension services are among the determinants of participation in, and the subsequent success of reforestation with C. album.

External Organisation(s)

University of Bayreuth
ETH Zurich
Kangwon National University
Vietnam National University of Forestry

Type

Article

Journal

Biodiversity and conservation

Volume

23

Pages

811-830

No. of pages

20

ISSN

0960-3115

Publication date

04.2014

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecology, Nature and Landscape Conservation

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 15 - Life on Land

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0635-4 (Access: Closed)