Son La Province to Receive Support in Restoring Over 15,000 Hectares of Agricultural and Forestry Land

The Netherlands Development Organisation, in collaboration with Son La's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, launched the RESTORE Son La project to address critical land degradation and deforestation in the province. Unsustainable farming practices and conversion of forests to agricultural land have negatively impacted local livelihoods and biodiversity. The project will restore 6,994 hectares of fruit tree plantations and 8,239 hectares of forest land by planting over 13 million trees, utilizing agroforestry techniques compliant with the EU Deforestation-free Regulation. It aims to improve ecosystem health and community resilience through forest enrichment, strengthened landscape management, and headwater forest development, including establishing high-value fruit orchards. The project prioritizes community engagement, adhering to the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent principle, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices to increase crop yields and incomes for local residents. Funded by the Global Green Growth Institute and implemented by the Netherlands Development Organisation, the five-year project will benefit approximately 15,000 households in eight districts of Son La Province.