Tây Ninh Province plans to lease 10,000ha of production forest to households, organisations and individuals. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Đức Hoảnh

TÂY NINH — A project in Tây Ninh Province will allow organisations, households and individuals to lease forested areas covering 10,000ha that will be used for agricultural and forestry production, medicinal plant cultivation, and eco-tourism.

Tạ Văn Đáo, deputy director of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the project was part of the Central Party Secretariat's Directive No 13 on strengthening the Party's leadership in forest management, protection and development.

“Over the years, local authorities have not paid enough attention to investment in production forests to enhance their value and contribute to local economic growth,” he said.

The province has more than 72,000ha of forest, including special-use, protective, and production forests.

Nearly 10,430ha of existing production forests account for 14.4 per cent of the total forest area in the province. They are located mostly in districts Tân Biên, Tân Châu, Châu Thành, Bến Cầu and Trảng Bàng.

By 2027, the project to lease forested areas for production use is expected to bring stable revenue of VNĐ250 billion (US$10.8 million) a year, according to Đáo.

About 4,000ha of rubber, 110ha of new forests and 500ha of fruit trees and forestry products are expected to be produced.

The districts’ People’s Committees will be responsible for managing the leased forests. — VNS