People grow forests in Trà Vinh Province’s Cầu Ngang District. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Hoà

TRÀ VINH — Trà Vinh Province has earmarked VNĐ39.6 billion (US$1.6 million) for sustainably developing the forestry sector in 2023-25.

Under a programme approved by its People’s Committee, the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province will increase the value of forestry produce, create jobs in rural areas, protect the environment, and ensure maritime security.

It will grow 656ha of new forests between now and 2025, according to Vice Chairman of Trà Vinh People's Committee Nguyễn Trung Hoàng.

It is expected to allocate the new forests to households, creating 250 jobs.

It aims to increase the total forest area to more than 10,000ha and increase the value of forest produce by 2.5 per cent a year from now to 2025.

It now has 9,600ha for a forest cover rate of 4.1 per cent.

Much of its forests has been allocated to households and organisations to protect and exploit.

The province aims to have 80 per cent tended in this manner by 2025.

It is encouraging farmers in coastal areas to grow mangrove forests and breed aquatic species in them since the model has helped develop forests sustainably, improve farmers’ incomes, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and is environment friendly.

Trần Trường Giang, director of the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said more than 23,980ha have been zoned in coastal areas for forests and aquaculture. — VNS