In contrast to agricultural crops, long-term tree contract farming (CF) for high-quality timber production under sustainable forest practices contributes to social and economic development, as well as environmental conservation. However, there is limited understanding and insufficient literature on the motivations and benefits of tree growers participating in timber and its associated value chains. This study aims to address these gaps by examining the factors influencing tree grower participation in the tree CF model in Vietnam.

Mulch regulates soil hydrothermal regime while suppressing weed growth, effects of which may depend on mulch material and/or similar to that of closed crop canopy. Combined use of organic or inorganic material as surface mulch and appropriate plant spacing may produce synergistic agronomic effects in water-stressed environments. This study evaluated the sensitivity of rainfed okra to mulch-spacing variants in droughty derived-savannah soils.