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5. Outputs

The workshop provided three main outputs for each participating country; i) a synthesis, ii) an action framework and iii) a logical framework. The process and the results are described below.

5.1. The country syntheses

Prior to the workshop the participants filled in a questionnaire about their view of the planted forests sector. The questionnaire was based on the framework of the principles and the guidelines listed in the Planted Forest Voluntary Guidelines. Following a multi-stakeholder process in country each of the four participating countries prepared a synthesis outlining the main results of a questionnaire highlighting the perceived strengths, weaknesses, threats, recommended action and potential sources of funding. The country syntheses are to be found in Annex III.

Each country presented their synthesis on the first day of the workshop. In the boxes below a summary of each of the four countries’ syntheses is presented.

Even though the planted forest sectors in the four participating countries are very different with regard to forest tenure, investment structure, political engagement etc. there are, however, a number of strengths, weaknesses and threats that the four countries have in common.

Common weaknesses:

Common strengths:

Common threats:

Box 1. – China résumé of synthesis

Background - China has the world’s largest planted forest area (70 Million ha according to FRA2005). The major part of the planted forest tenure is managed by collectives; a fifth is directly owned and managed by the state. The Chinese planted forest market is mainly dominated by domestic investors. China has a strong productive planted forest sector but also an important area of protective planted forest (rehabilitation of degraded land and combating desertification).

China had pinpointed the high afforestation and reforestation rate and mobilization of smallholders and agro forestry as China’s strength in the planted forest sector.

China pinpointed the following issues as the main weaknesses in their planted forest sector:

    • Lack of scientific planning and transfer of knowledge and technology, especially concerning land-use planning (recognition ecological zones, soil type, topography, purpose etc.);

    • Competition between land-use rights is resulting in conflicts between forestry and agriculture, smallholders and large investors, natural forest and planted forests;

    • Production techniques are considered as poor, which has led to low productivity due to poorly or over stocked areas;

    • A high proportion of broad leaved species are being planted in comparison with coniferous forest;

    • Lack of trust and communication between groups is fuelled by the fact that participatory approaches are difficult to implement in China.

China pinpointed the following issues as the main threats in their planted forest sector:

    • Poor management of natural resources i.e. i) degradation of forest soils, ii) disease and pests, iii) forest fires, iv) environmental pollution, v) loss in water resources, vi) reduction in biodiversity as a consequence from planting too homogenous stands.

    • Until know economic benefits have been over emphasised on the costs of environment and social aspects.

    • The services of the larger landscape have not been recognized.

Box 2. - Lao PDR résumé of synthesis

Background – Lao PDR is experiencing a third tree plantation boom. Lao PDR reported on 224,000 ha of plantations in FRA2005. The area has, however, expanded significantly (ca. 50,000 ha) since 2005.

The planted forest market is mainly driven by foreign trans-national investors establishing eucalyptus plantations. Also local farmers are planting trees but mainly rubber and teak. The land is owned by the government who gives out concessions. Requested land area investment proposals with the intention to establish plantations are now close to 2 Million ha. The Government has temporarily suspended new concessions meanwhile the Government is reviewing the concession approval process and field activities of the existing concessions. There is concern that the Government is not well prepared or equipped to manage and control investment in plantations. Rules and regulations concerning investment appraisal, selection of land for concessions including consultation with local villages, monitoring of actual investment are not fully developed or enforced. Consequently there are many cases of conversion of rich forest or village forest land, no replanting activities after logging/clearing and very low concession fees.

Lao PDR has a number of features suitable for investment i.e. suitable climate and sites, low population density, availability of forestry area that can be used for planting trees, flat or undulating terrain, an existing road infrastructure that is gradually being upgraded, closeness to large markets in neighbouring countries, low costs for land lease, competitive cost for labour and inputs.

Lao PDR pinpointed the following issues as the main strengths in their planted forest sector:

    • Well managed planted forests contribute to i) improved local community livelihoods, ii) assisted degrade land rehabilitation, and iii) replacing naturally occurring teak;

    • Private sector intellectual property has boosted technical knowledge in Lao PDR;

    • The increased planted forest area has contributed to a i) increased forest cover and ii) an improved local infrastructure and community facilities i.e. schools and community centres.

Lao PDR pinpointed the following issues as the main weaknesses in their planted forest sector:

    • Poor long term performance and misguided concessions as a consequence of

      i) lack of consideration of environmental impacts,

      ii) species and site selection not adequately addressed,

      iii) lack of understanding of genetic improvement,

      iv) lack of understanding of international markets

      v) lack of community consultations,

      vi) NTFP not integrated in the planning and management. Over half of rural communities are below the poverty line, which makes NTFP very important.

Lao PDR pinpointed the following issue as the main threat in the planted forest sector:

      • Inadequate R&D especially concerning diseases and fire spread due to more eucalypts being planted.

Box 3. – Thailand résumé of synthesis

Background – Thailand has an area of 3 Million ha of plantations (FRA2005) and another 2 Million ha of rubber plantations. Plantations were originally established by the Government. Recently, farmers and private investors have started to plant forests. All forests in Thailand are owned by the State whereas trees established on private lands are private property. Since logging in natural forests is banned, timber production in Thailand has shifted from natural forests to planted forests, particularly teak and rubber.

The planted forest investment sector is mainly domestic. The sector has progressed slowly due to a series of constraints. Most farmers are poor and indebted and therefore, they have to obtain quick returns, which make planted forest an unsuitable crop. Farmers hesitate in investing in timber plantations because of the following reasons: (a) no proper credit facility is available, (b) forestry species are competing with other cash crops such as cassava and sugar cane, (c) the registration problem of reserved species at the time of harvesting represents a source of uncertainty, and (d) some species such as neem have limited markets.

Thailand pinpointed the following issues as the main opportunities in the planted forest sector:

      • The potential of the planted forest sector in the contribution to poverty alleviation;

      • The potential of using marginalized land;

      • Expansion of non timber products both for domestic and international markets;

      • The planted forest sector can enhance environmental services through payment mechanisms to growers and managers.

Thailand pinpointed the following issues as the main weaknesses in the planted forest sector:

      • The main constraint was found in the institutional setting in the form of:

        i) lack of regulatory framework;

        ii) lack of coherence between public policies combined with;

        iii) institutional uncertainty related to public forest administration.

      • The second main constraint was found to be in information and education in the form of

        i) lack of coherent support to communities and private forest sector to manage forest resources;

        ii) lack of systematic strategies for human resource development and extension concerning management techniques.

Box 4. – Vietnam résumé of synthesis

Background – The forests of Vietnam have dramatically decreased during the last 60 years. The forest covered area is however recently increasing. Vietnam had 2,7 Million ha of planted forest in 2005 (FRA2005), occupying around 20% of the current forests. In 1998, the “Five Million ha Reforestation Program” was launched with a target to plant 5 million ha of forests by 2010, restoring the forest cover to 43% (Forestry Department 2001). The program aims not only to reforest, but also to protect existing native forests.

The planted forests in Vietnam are distributed unequally throughout the country, with the most area in North-East Region, the Northern Central Region, and the Coastal Plains Region. In these areas, the wood processing sector has been developed, and made a great contribution to the local economy. By 2005 half of the planted forests area was under the management of the Government while the other half was under the management of mostly smallholder farmers and some private companies.

The wood and NTFP market are becoming increasingly important to the Vietnamese economy. Both the domestic use and the export are increasing. There is a high competition between wood chip and paper production with the furniture industry.

Vietnam pinpointed the following issues as the main strengths in the planted forest sector:

    • The Government has paid efforts to develop planted forests in the country i.e. the new “Five Million ha Reforestation Program” and the “Forest Development Strategy 2006-2020”, in which planted forest development will play a very important role;

    • Innovation of good species using new techniques;

    • The media network is developing in order for the local communities to learn how to apply new knowledge and techniques;

    • The market for planted forest products has accelerated recently;

    • Many foreign and private companies and enterprises are interested in finding suitable forest land for establishing new plantations. Many international customers are now requiring that products from planted forest should have international certificates, which functions as an incentive for the central and provincial government and larger forestry companies to pay attention to policy and efforts to improve their forest management.

Vietnam pinpointed the following issues as the main weaknesses in the planted forest sector:

    • The investment for planted forests is low, especially the money to protect forests;

      • Too short rotations due to a need for quick returns and the very high loan rate from the bank;

      • There is a lack of information on management techniques and the market intelligence (domestic and export), especially in more remote rural areas.

Vietnam pinpointed the following issues as the main threats in the planted forest sector:

    • The exotic species and even age planted forests can attract diseases and pests;

    • Insufficient environmental protection can lead to soil erosion and land degradation.

5.2. Action frameworks and logical frameworks

The four country groups developed two main outputs during the workshop; an action framework and a logical framework. The participants prioritized problems critical to achieving sustainable planted forests sector in their countries by brain storming and discussions in breakaway country groups. After agreeing on priority areas the groups developed actions and logical frameworks for these priority areas. These frameworks will form the basis for future implementation in the form of 3-5 years project, programme and strategic proposals upon the participants’ return to their countries.

Even though the planted forest sectors in the four participating countries are very different with regard to the planted forest area, forest tenure, investment structure, political engagement etc. there were common areas that the four countries pinpointed as most important to address. Especially good governance, effective organization capacity, recognition of the market, recognition of social and cultural values and services, improved transfer of knowledge, capacity building in sustainable management of planted forest, stronger multi-stakeholder participation, recognition of the landscape approach and a need of planted forest guidelines were pinpointed to be crucial to address in order to achieve a more sustainable planted forest sector.

The action and logical frameworks are detailed in Annexes IV and V.

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