The Forest and Farm Facility program phase II has been implemented in Hoa Binh province in 03 communes: Tu Ne, Dong Lai (Tan Lac), An Binh (Lac Thuy) since March 2019 and continues to be extended until December 2025. The main goal of the program is to improve the capacity of forest and farm farmer organizations and ethnic minority households to develop forests and farms sustainably and adapt to climate change. Therefore, after 5 years of implementation, through the direct participation of cooperative groups and cooperatives, the program has contributed to promoting the development of production under the forest canopy, creating livelihoods and increasing income.

The program has established 3 core groups in 3 communes Dong Lai, Tu Ne and An Binh with 18 members. Groups develop regulations and operate according to functions and tasks. Through interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral discussions and roundtables, mechanisms and policies related to cooperative group and cooperatives are also promoted more favorably; The capacity to manage cooperative groups/cooperatives has been improved. The discussions with local authorities and relevant parties have contributed to raising voices and solving difficulties for cooperative groups, cooperatives, forest and farm farmers. Authorities have introduced businesses and banks to cooperatives to seek opportunities for cooperation, business and access to loans to develop production; Support cooperative groups and cooperatives to introduce and promote their products at fairs with other provinces.

Until now, the implementation of the FFF II Program has contributed to the establishment of 3 new cooperatives: Organic Grapefruit Growing Cooperative and Tan Dong Agricultural Services, Dong Lai commune; Beekeeping and farm afforestation cooperative in Tu Ne commune (Tan Lac); Hai Dang High-tech Organic Agricultural Cooperative, An Binh commune (Lac Thuy). Accordingly, the business ability, market access and finance of cooperative groups and cooperatives are increased through the value chain incorporating gender equality and providing services to members... FFF supported 107 agricultural products, in which 86 OCOP products were listed on e-commerce platforms: Postmart and Voso. At the same time, FFF program organize technical training courses on planting long rotation forests, growing organic grapefruit, growing mushrooms, raising chickens, raising bees, and agroforestry. 

Typically, Mr. Tran Hong Nang's family, Tan Lai hamlet, Dong Lai commune (Tan Lac), a grapefruit growing household belonging to Tan Dong organic grapefruit growing and service cooperative. He was introduced to participate in FFF program and facilitated by the Farmers' Union at all levels in training on production techniques and implementation of the model of intercropping ginger trees under organic grapefruit trees. Mr. Nang shared: In 2021, I started participating in the FFF II Program. With the companionship and support of the program as well as the provincial and district Farmers' Union levels, my family started intercropping ginger under organic grapefruit trees on an area of 0.2 hectares. With tree growing and disease prevention techniques, the model developed well. The ginger growing area annually brings the family an additional income of over 5 million VND.

 In 2023, cooperative groups and cooperatives have proactively planned and discussed with facilitators at all levels and the FFF II Program Management Board - Provincial Farmers' Union to coordinate the implementation of activities and come up with most suitable and effective plans. During the year, 3 small projects and 7 forest and farm production and business models of cooperative groups and cooperatives supported by the FFF II Program continued to achieve positive results. Noticeably, a contract for cooperation in production and consumption of products has been signed; Cooperatives and cooperative groups are allowed to participate in booths at agricultural product fairs to promote and sell products. Many products have been highly appreciated by customers. In addition, the FFF II Program of the Provincial Farmers' Union coordinated to develop a plan and planted 54.8 hectares of forest with trees such as: acacia, incense stick, bamboo, teak, bamboo...; Build 31 models of planting long rotation forests, models of planting medicinal plants under the forest canopy, and models of agriculture and forestry response to climate change adaptation.

 Also through the program, Green Credit Funds have been established at cooperative groups and Cooperatives to support members with loans to develop livestock and afforestation. Until now, 4 cooperative groups and cooperatives have built a fund with a total amount of 120 million VND, lending capital to 15 members. Along with support for growing medicinal plants, beekeeping under the forest canopy helps people create livelihoods; Through the FFF II Program, the Silviculture Research Institute coordinated with the Provincial Farmers' Union to build 9 models of planting large, intensive long rotation forests, agroforestry combining a number of tree species with high economic value with a total area of 11 hectares in some communes of Tan Lac and Cao Phong districts. Thereby contributing to improving the economic value of forests on a cultivated area, developing a sustainable multi-benefit forest economy, helping farmers reduce poverty and get rich from forests.

 The activities of farmers participating in the FFF II Program meet the goal of minimizing, adapting, and resisting climate change through the direct participation of cooperatives and cooperatives and integration with biological measures. The Provincial Farmers' Union coordinated to organize 2 conversations and training on mitigation and adaptation to climate change; training on organic agricultural production and participatory assurance systems (PGS); coordinated with the Silviculture Research Institute, under the Vietnam Academy of Forest Sciences to build 9 models of planting long rotation forests and medicinal plants under the forest canopy such as: Cay Gioi, Vu Huong, Teak, Lat, Acacia, Cat Sam. Thereby, it has raised awareness for cooperative groups and cooperatives about the impact of climate change on current agricultural and forestry production and deployed solutions to adapt to climate change.

 Overall, the FFF Program is bringing positive impacts to people in the project area in the province. The program has encouraged the participation of women, youth and ethnic minorities, increased income and improved people's lives. On average, each participating household increased by 20-30%. Production gradually shifted towards concentration and large scale. In addition, supported cooperatives, forest production cooperatives and farms have transformed sustainable agricultural and forestry production models, adapting to climate change such as droughts and floods.

 Through that, the FFF II program also contributes to improving the capacity of cooperatives and forest and farm production cooperatives in terms of organizational development and effective chain management, production and business of forests and farms; Encourage the participation of women, youth and ethnic minorities in the production and trading of forestry and agricultural products, sustainable forest development, and adding value from forests and forest landscapes; helping cooperatives and cooperative groups exploit the potential of local cultural and social services to provide to members and the community. In particular, from members of the Farmers' Union, members of cooperative groups and Cooperatives, good and creative ways from the FFF II Program have spread to people who have not yet joined cooperative groups and Cooperatives.

Some photos of FFF training program in Tu Ne, Dong Lai (Tan Lac), An Binh (Lac Thuy) communes, Hoa Binh province