Sustainable production of natural fibre materials

The dialogue was held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Quang Nam provincial People's Committee (QNPPC) through the USAID-funded project on sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

According to Deputy Chairman of QNPPC Ho Quang Buu, Vietnam is one of the global leading producers and exporters of bamboo and rattan products with the growth of 8-10% a year.

Vietnamese bamboo and rattan products have so far gone to over 160 countries and territories around the world, providing income and jobs for nearly 350,000 labours, especially women and ethnic groups, in rural and mountainous areas.

Quang Nam is considered as a centre for bamboo and rattan with the largest rattan reserves in the country.

It is distributed in Nam Giang, Dong Giang, Phuoc Son and managed by the locals and protected forest management boards.

Moreover, Quang Nam is known as the largest rattan centre to provide materials for craft villages in Vietnam.

Via the project on sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation, several solutions for sustainable forest management have been carried out, including the development of rattan and bamboo value chains in Son La, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, and Quang Nam.

The development of rattan and bamboo value chains contributes to the stabilisation of rattan and bamboo resources, promoting livelihood improvement, social and environmental benefits.

Reportedly, there are currently 893 craft villages using natural fibre in Vietnam; 647 of which are using bamboo and rattan.