Mixed species farming and landscape restoration through supporting local families and stakeholders

Overview

This project supports local families in HEPA and nearby villages in Son Kim 1 commune to engage in mixed-species farming and landscape restoration whilst mainstreaming awareness of area-based conservation OECM. During the implementation, the project directly benefits 5 family farms, supporting provisions of trees seedlings and related agricultural inputs covering a total of 10 hectares. The project site by the account for GIS mapping covers an area of 12.68 ha of all engaged families. Documentation of mixed-species farming and carbon accounting have enlargened OECM area-based conservation of the Son Kim 1 watershed area inclusive of also the family farms is up to 246.67 ha. Awareness raising and OECM-related knowledge reached 153 people, of which 40 are female. Three local media news' articles reported and disseminated mixed species farming and the crucial role of restoring landscape by mixed species for OECM longer benefits from the project activities. The most successful news is the local policy support for uptake and extending 'Thiên niên kiện' one of the trees species from SDM-funded nursery to planting at 300-ha scaled coverage over Son Kim 1 commune. Despite continuous challenges over climatic impacts and extreme temperature ranges, all local families have attempted to replant trees died and continuously developing mixed species farming, and promoting area-based OECM conservation.

Key achievements

• Local families and communities and stakeholders became more aware of sustainable management of SEPLS and area-based conservation (OECM).
• Local families, communities and stakeholders became more aware of the value and benefits of mixed species farming (as opposed to monoculture) and better understood the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services generated from mixed species.
• SEPLS and area-based conservation (OECM) through mixed-species farming on these living-farms have presented more long-term means for improved livelihoods, resilience and climate change mitigation. GIS mapping and carbon accounting from family farms provide unique examples and lessons learned that can be shared with stakeholders and institutions as the very first initiative in Viet Nam. This provides a timely example of the recent Prime Minister's Decision to approve a proposal to establish a carbon market in Viet Nam.

Lessons

• It is crucial to provide continuing support to farmers and stakeholders for restoration through mixed species farming and collective efforts towards OECM area-based conservation.
• Early involvement of local authorities at the beginning of the project is important to yield better synergy. Communicating with them and inviting them to be part of the whole process is important in terms of transparency, common awareness and information. This project encouraged local authorities to take on other active roles such as lobbying higher levels of governmental offices to set out other policy support and schemes for the local population, especially those related to OECMs at landscape-scale.
• It is necessary to document dead trees, and ensure that the trees were re-planted well during the planting process (with proper consideration of serious climate impacts).
• Expansion of the planting area up to 300 ha of “Thiên niên kiện” was exceptional in terms of policy support and uptake by the local population in Son Kim 1 commune, ensuring that the species brought ecological, health and economic benefits.