Industrial Tree Plantations the solution
Published on: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Published on: Wed, Apr 30, 2025 Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia's wood industry is betting big on Industrial Tree Plantations (ITP) to secure its future as it faces shrinking natural timber supplies. With natural forests yielding fewer logs, the Malaysian Timber Association's (MTA) nine member associations identified solutions during meetings here, followed by a field tour of Jawala Plantation's sustainable operations in Sapulut, Keningau. 'Industrial Tree Plantations are not just an alternative, they are our industry lifeline,' said MTA President George Yap, noting Malaysia's timber exports hit RM23.4 billion last year. Among possible solutions is ITPs with a focus on fast-growing species like Laran and Albizia that can mature in 10-15 years compared to over 50 years for wild trees. During the field tour held from April 13 – 15, Jawala showed how degraded land can be converted to productive plantations. In addition, the delegation was also briefed on how local seedling programs preserve genetic diversity. Another possibility is through certification systems, whereby Sabah's Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) tracks wood from farm to market. This also ensures compliance with international standards and helps access premium markets. The third possibility is through trade strategy overhaul, such as diversifying export markets to reduce reliance on the US amid tariff hikes and lobbying for fairer Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora rules on protected species The Jawala plantation impressed the delegates with its environmental, social and governance-compliant operations (environmental/social safeguards), High Conservation Value Forest conservation areas and community job creation programs. The MTA plans to replicate Jawala's methods nationwide, aiming to increase plantation wood's share from 15 per cent to 40 per cent of supply by 2035, train 5,000 workers in sustainable forestry techniques and develop new fast-growing timber hybrids. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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