For the first time in Sabah, production of plantation timber hit 1 million m3 in 2011 with a total production of 1,234,777.75 m3. Total production from plantation timber increased by 141% since 2001, with Acacia mangium showing the most significant increase at 231%, making it the major plantation species being produced over the last 10 years. In 2011, Acacia mangium accounted for 87% of the total production of plantation timber, followed by Eucalyptus grandis at 11%, Gmelina arborea at 1% and others at 1%. It is however noted that utilization of rubber wood remains small despite the extensive land clearing of old rubber plantations for replanting of new rubber trees.
Sabah Forest Industries Sdn Bhd produced 60% of last year’s production, making it the biggest producer of plantation timber in Sabah, followed by SAFODA at 16%, Sabah Softwoods Bhd at 12% and Benta Wawasan Sdn Bhd at 11%. In terms of production by land status, 58 % of plantation timber was produced from Forest Reserves, alienated lands at 26% and state lands at 16% respectively.
Forest plantations in Sabah are not really new with the first large scale forest plantations pioneered by Sabah Softwoods Bhd in 1974, followed by SAFODA and Sabah Forest Industries Sdn Bhd in the 1980s, and a great deal of research and development have been undertaken by the pioneers in all aspects of forest plantations such as tree breeding, silviculture and utilization of selected species of planted timber. The current utilization of plantation timber is widespread including sawn timber, veneer and plywood, pulp and paper and chips. Sawn timber, namely Acacia mangium, is further value-added into garden furniture.
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| Acacia Mangium |
Two companies namely Hijauan Bengkoka Sdn Bhd (15,360 ha) and Sabah Softwoods Bhd ( 27,313 ha) have obtained the well managed plantation certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), while Sabah Forest industries Sdn Bhd has also been partly certified by FSC under its controlled wood program.
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| Forest Stewardship Council |
It is envisaged that production of plantation timber will continue to increase in the future with continuous reinvestment in forest plantations by key players including new players namely Sustainable Forest Management License Holders (SFMLA).
In contrast, log production from natural forests was approximately 2.6 million m3, still higher than that of plantation timber. It is envisaged that, if the current trend continues, the State’s goal of making plantation timber the major source of raw materials for the timber industry will be achieved.
For perspective, plantation timber for commercial purposes started being produced in 1982, with the maiden 22,996.60 m3 of Albizia falcataria. We have come a long way since then.
the SFM cost to Deramakot which covers 55,083 hectares is a staggering 91.6m ringgit. Under this model, 4,000 hectares are conserved while the rest are replanted with tropical timber trees and logged. Sabah aims to have all commercial forests certified by FSC by 2014.
ReplyDeletetimber industry was one of the main contributors to Sabah's economy in term of GDP and had benefited the state's economic development for the last 35 to 40 years. it should continue to play a major role in the future but due to overlogging in the past and the lack of sustainable forest management programme by the government, the industry was currently faced with shortage of raw material.
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