improving policies for forest plantations to balance...
TRANSCRIPT
MEETING REPORT
Planning meeting for ACIAR Project ADP/2014/047
Improving policies for forest plantations to balance smallholder, industry and environmental needs in Lao PDR and
Vietnam
Vientiane, November 10, 2015
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1. INTRODUCTION
The project “Improving policies for forest plantations to balance smallholder, industry
and environmental needs in Lao PDR and Vietnam” (ADP-2014-047) is funded by
Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) and being undertaken
with research and government partners in Lao and Vietnam. The project aims to
provide policy options that achieve national goals for tree plantation industry
development in the two countries through improved linkages between commercial
investment and smallholder production and improve the capacity of researchers in Lao
PDR and Vietnam in policy research and economic and social analyses. This can lead
to improved economic, environmental and community livelihood benefits from
plantations. The project has a total funding of $999,866 AUD and officially commenced
its activities in April 2016.
In November 2015, the project held a planning meeting in Vientiane, Lao PDR as a
step towards the project’s effective implementation.
2. MEETING OBJECTIVES
• To create a common understanding and support of the project - its goals, objectives
and implementation plans.
• To exchange knowledge and experiences around forest plantation policies.
• To develop shared visions of the broader opportunities and benefits emerging from
the project and look for areas of potential synergy that could enhance its overall
scientific and policy impacts.
3. PARTICIPANTS
Thirty participants from a range of research institutions and government agencies from
Australia, Lao and Vietnam attended the workshop. List of participants and their
contacts is in the Annex 1.
4. PROGRAM
The meeting was opened by Mr John Williams, Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR,
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and Associate Professor Houngphet Chanthavong, Dean of the Faculty of Forest
Science, National University of Laos. Dr Ejaz Qureshi and Mr Tony Bartlett from ACIAR
RPM Agriculture Development Policy and Forestry presented the current ACIAR
strategies for agricultural policy and forestry in Lao PDR and Vietnam and highlighted
links with the ADP-2014-047 project. The two presentations on Plantation Policy
Challenges in Lao and Vietnam created a strong foundation for the subsequent group
discussions on Plantation Policy: Similarities, Differences and Future Directions. The
afternoon sessions focused on discussing the project components and solicited
participant’s’ inputs into policy adoption pathways.
The workshop agenda with details of presentations is provided in the Annex 2.
5. KEY POINTS FROM THE DISCUSSION
The participants discussed and highlighted the following:
• The extensive partnership between researchers and policy makers in three
countries of Laos, Vietnam and Australia is rare in these kinds of projects. The
project aims to tackle important areas of forest policies in this region.
• ACIAR’s work in Laos has been around focus areas of Agroforestry, PES,
Biosecurity, and value-adding in teak while in Vietnam programs on agroforestry
(NW Vietnam), poverty reduction and rural livelihoods have received more
attention.
• The key plantation policy challenges in Vietnam relate to low level of interest from
banks in the plantation sector due to concerns about risks and insurance policies
being not readily available. The government’s view is to have more support for
longer rotation plantations. Some of the questions that the project may be able to
explore:
• How to link grower’s processing and consumption?
• What are acacia plantations preferred by growers?
• How to sustain productivity and site quality?
• Should plantations shift to high value sawlog plantations in order to
enhance value from short-term rotation plantations?
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• Inputs/suggestions to policy formulation and implementation should be planned
for during the project life (and not wait for the final results at the end of the
project). In order to do this, entry points need to be studied and taken into account
while planning for project activities.
• The meeting served as a useful forum for participants in the three countries to
meet and discuss the project aim, activities and scope. While there is a good
framework for policy analysis and field studies, more efforts are required to better
understand the policy contexts. Active engagement with the project activities and
resources is thus encouraged. The two countries will need to nominate Steering
Committees to provide strategic directions and advice on policy adoption
pathways.
6. FOLLOW UP PLAN
• Vietnam has approved the project document and committed to co-financing.
• Lao PDR needs to speed up the approval process.
• A policy forum is scheduled for March 2016 to further discuss policy challenges
and opportunities for the two countries.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The project is thankful to ACIAR for their financial support and for providing necessary
guidance concerning project formulation.
The meeting would not have been possible without logistical support of colleagues from
NUoL.
The collaboration and support from the project team members and partners with their
extensive knowledge and experience has been essential.
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ANNEX 2: PRESENTATIONS
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ANNEX 1: PROGRAM
Program Start Finish
Welcoming Remarks A/Prof. Houngphet Chanthavong, National University of Laos (NUoL)
Speech 8.30 8.40
Introduction of Participants
Chair 8.40 8.50
Message from the Australian Government
Mr John Williams Ambassador to Lao PDR
Speech 8.50 9.00
Links to ACIAR strategies for agricultural policy and forestry in Lao PDR and Vietnam
Dr Ejaz Qureshi, ACIAR RPM Agriculture Development Policy Mr Tony Bartlett, ACIAR RPM Forestry
Presentation 9.00 9.15
Project Introduction - Objectives and Expected Outcomes
Prof Rodney Keenan, University of Melbourne (UoM)
Presentation 9.15 9.30
Plantation Policy Challenges in Vietnam
Mr Le Van Bach Policy Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Vietnam
Presentation Q&A
9.30 10.00
Plantation Policy Challenges in Lao PDR
Mr Vongvilay Vonkhamsao Director of Forest Science Research Centre, NAFRI Lao PDR
Presentation Q&A
10.00 10.30
MORNING TEA (Group Photo)
10.30
11.00
Plantation Policy: Similarities, Differences and Future Directions for Lao PDR and Vietnam
Prof Peter Kanowski, Australian National University (ANU) – Facilitator
Group Discussion & Reporting
11.00 12.00
LUNCH
12.00
13.30
Research Components: Contexts and Institution Analysis
Prof Peter Kanowski, ANU
Presentation, Q&A
13.30 13.45
Research Components: Supply Chain Analysis
Prof Geoff Cockfield, University of Southern Queensland
Presentation, Q&A
15.15 15.30
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Research Components: Plantation Development Case Studies
Dr Thu-Ba Huynh (UoM), Dr Tuan (Hue University, Vietnam), Dr Keith Barney (ANU)
Presentation, Q&A
14.00 14.15
Research Components: Environmental Analysis
Prof Rodney Keenan UoM
Presentation, Q&A
13.45 14.00
Feedback/Comments Questions
Khamphone NAFRI
Plenary Discussion
14.15 14.30
AFTERNOON TEA 14.30 15.00
Research Components: Economic Analysis
Dr Somvang Phimmavong, NUoL Dr Tran Dai Nghia, Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), Vietnam
Presentation, Q&A
15.00 15.15
Research Components: Supply Chain Analysis
Prof Geoff Cockfield, University of Southern Queensland
Presentation, Q&A
15.15 15.30
Policy Adoption Pathways
Prof Rodney Keenan, UoM Presentation, Q&A
15.30 15.45
Feedback/Comments/Questions
Dr Vu Tan Phuong, Vietnam Academy of Forestry Sciences (VAFS)
Plenary Discussion
15.45 16.00
Summary Prof Vo Dai Hai, VAFS Summary 16.00 16.15
Way Forward and Closing
Prof Rodney Keenan, UoM Speech 16.15 16.30
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ANNEX 3 PARTICIPANTS
Australia
1 Prof. Rodney Keenan UoM [email protected]
2 Dr. Thu Ba Huynh UoM [email protected]
3 Prof. Peter Kanowski ANU [email protected]
4 Alexander Van Der Meer Simo ANU [email protected]
5 Dr. Keith Barney ANU [email protected]
6 Prof. Geoff Cockfield USQ [email protected]
7 Dr. Tony Bartlett ACIAR [email protected]
8 Dr. Ejaz Qureshi ACIAR [email protected]
Lao PDR
9 Dr. Somvang Phimmavong NUoL, Deputy Head of Department of Forest Economics and Wood Technology
10 A/Prof. Houngphet Chanthavong,
NUoL, Dean of the Faculty of Forest Science
11 Khamphone Mounlamai National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute
12 Thongpat Vongmany DG, Department of Forestry
13 Xaypladeth Chounlamany DG, Department of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
14 Vongpaphane Manivong Senior Agricultural Economist, NAFRI [email protected]
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15 Vongvilay Vonkhamsao Director of Forest Science Research Centre, NAFRI
16 Bounthong BOUAHOM NAFRI DG [email protected]
17 Don Giannace Stora Enso [email protected]
18 Ki Phonesavanh Lat (or Chiraporn Sunpakit)
ACIAR Lao Country Manager [email protected]
19 Dr. Lamphoune Xayvongsa NUoL, A/Prof., Dept Economics [email protected]
20 Dr. Kaisone Phengsopha NUoL, Graduate Studies Coordinator [email protected]
21 James Cornwell NUoL Volunteer [email protected]
22 Viengsy Paothor NUoL administrator [email protected]
23 Phonesavanh Latmany ACIAR Assistant Manager +856 20 2223 5794 [email protected]
24 Dulce Simanivong ACIAR Regional Manager [email protected]
Vietnam
25 Prof. Vo Dai Hai Vietnam Academy of Forestry Sciences [email protected]
26 Dr. Vu Tan Phuong Vietnam Academy of Forestry Sciences [email protected]
27 Le Van Bach MARD [email protected]
28 Dr. Tran Dai Nghia IPSARD [email protected]
29 Dr. Hoang Huy Tuan HUAF [email protected]
30 Nguyen An ACIAR Country Manager [email protected]