The INKOTA project develops livelihood models linked to sustainable forest protection and development.

The INKOTA project not only supports land allocation linked to forest allocation but also supports the development of models associated with sustainable forest protection and development for the communes of Yen Na, Yen Thang, and Huu Khuong in Tuong Duong district (formerly District) Nghe An province.

The beekeeping model utilizes the abundant natural forest flower resources to produce high-quality honey. Previously, the local people, mainly of the Thai and Khmu ethnic groups who had no knowledge of beekeeping and relied solely on natural forest bees for seasonal honey production. The INKOTA Project team organized on-site technical training sessions to help people understand and implement the methods effectively. The project not only provided technical training but also supported households with bee colonies. To date, the bee colonies have thrived, and the households have been able to harvest honey, increasing their family income.

In addition to the native beekeeping and chicken farming models, the Project also supports a semi-intensive goat farming model. This model is also very effective because people utilize the leaves and grasses of the forest as feed for the goats. The goat herd grows rapidly, producing two litters of kids each year.

The key lesson is that all models need to provide easy-to-understand technical support to the people through field classes and households sharing experiences with each other to overcome difficulties such as disease control for bees, chickens, and goats.

Developing livelihoods linked to forest protection and development is an effective model that needs to be widely replicated in the area and neighboring localities to increase income and protect forests more effectively.

Nguyen Viet Nghi