As one of seven forestry seedling producers in the province, Điện Biên Branch of the Central Forestry Seed Corporation Joint Stock Company is currently focusing its resources on cultivating sa mộc (sa mu - cunninghamia lanceolata), cinnamon, and pine seedlings to support the province’s reforestation efforts and supply neighboring provinces.

Trần Thị Phương, Director of the company, stated: “The seedlings cultivated in our nursery mainly include Sa mộc, cinnamon, thông mã vĩ (pinus massoniana lamb), and giổi (magnolia hypolampra). Ensuring high-quality seedlings starts with selecting superior seeds and cuttings, which is why we always source from reputable suppliers with clear origins. Additionally, soil mixing, bagging, sowing, and nurturing processes are strictly followed according to Forestry Department guidelines. We also pay special attention to pest control from the early stages of germination until the seedlings leave the nursery.”

At the nursery of Nguyễn Minh Hoàng Co., Ltd., located in Residential Group 6, Him Lam ward, Điện Biên Phủ city, workers are currently busy tending to the seedlings. Spanning approximately 7,000 square meters, the company produces and supplies over 100,000 forestry seedlings annually, mainly pine, cinnamon, and mỡ (manglietia conifera).

As he quickly bagged soil for the final seeding batch of the season, Nguyễn Duy Huân, Technical Supervisor at Nguyễn Minh Hoàng Co., Ltd., shared: “Since different forestry species have varying planting ages, their cultivation timelines differ as well. Some species require up to a year of preparation. For example, cinnamon and pine must reach 18-24 months before planting, while mỡ and giổi need 7-9 months. Keo tai tượng (acacia mangium) seedlings take about 3-4 months to mature.”

Currently, Điện Biên has seven forestry seedling enterprises, producing around 3 million seedlings annually. The main cultivated species include cinnamon, mỡ, giổi, thông mã vĩ, keo tai tượng, sa mộc…, which cater to the province’s annual afforestation needs, with a small portion supplied to other provinces. Unlike the planting season, which coincides with the rainy season, the seedling cultivation season begins in the dry months, from September or October of the previous year to March or April of the following year.

According to the provincial agriculture sector, in recent years, the supply of forestry seedlings in Điện Biên has been relatively abundant, with no shortages. The seedling varieties are diverse and well-suited to local conditions, effectively supporting afforestation efforts across different regions. To ensure the quality of seedlings in the market, at the beginning of the year, the province’s agriculture sector issued directives to strengthen control over seed quality and origin for forestry development programs and projects. The authorities also encourage organizations and individuals to use certified seedlings with clear origins for afforestation.

Additionally, to proactively develop high-quality forestry seedlings, Điện Biên province has been surveying, selecting, and certifying several key forestry seed sources, including indigenous tree species and high-value non-timber forest products. To date, the province has certified 276 elite trees, established 30 hectares of converted thông mã vĩ seed forests, and developed 5 hectares of primary Mắc ca (macadamia) nurseries.

According to the plan, by 2025, the province aims to plant 100 hectares of protective forests, 99 hectares of production forests, and approximately 32,000 scattered trees. This will result in a significant demand for forestry seedlings. However, while many nurseries meet regulatory standards, some online vendors still sell seedlings of unknown origin and poor quality. To ensure the success of afforestation efforts, authorities strongly advise enterprises and farmers to purchase seedlings from licensed nurseries and avoid unverified sources.