Regional Workshop on ”Enhancing Smallholder Plantations Towards Quality Timber Production of Teak and other Economic Species and Carbon Neutrality in the Tropics”, 18-21 September, 2024, Bangkok, Nan, Phrae and Lampang provinces, Thailand

The 1st Regional Workshop on 'Enhancing Smallholder Plantations Towards Quality Timber Production of Teak and other Economic Species and Carbon Neutrality in the Tropics' was organised on 18th September in Bangkok and a field excursion to Nan, Phrae Lampang and Chiang Mai Provinces, Northern Thailand on 19-21st September. About 65 participants from 10 countries converged in Best Western Airport hotel, Bangkok attended the workshop. The Regional Workshop was jointly organized by the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, and ITTO in collaboration with 6 participating countries in Asia Pacific and W. Africa. The workshop, as part of ITTO-BMEL Teak project phase II, advocated greater roles and supports by policy makers and private sectors to smallholders by extending viable financial schemes to the tree plantation to sustainably produce quality timber in their homegardens in longer rotations.

Prior to the regional workshop, back to back project steering committee meeting was held on 17 September to review the progress of the ITTO-BMEL Teak project phase II (PP-A/54-331A) now under implementation in six participating countries namely, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Viet Nam and Indonesia in in Asia Pacific and Togo W. Africa funded by Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Govt of Germany for 3 years starting October 2023. A field excursion to Nan, Phrae, Lampang provinces on 19-21 Sept provided participants an opportunity to get first hand information and experiences on smallholder teak plantations managed by the community enterprises in Pua district in Nan province; to teakwood based small, medium enterprises in Phrae province manufacturing wood products to domestic and international markets; and Forest Industry Organisation’s (FIO) timber depot in Lampang province on the quality teak production systems and a city tour to Chiang Mai.

Keynote presentations

Chairman:
Chairman: Prof. Yongyut Trisurat, Faculty of Forestry, Kaetsart University, Bangkok

Dr. Khwanchai Duangsathaporn, Member of Thailand’s National Boards on Forest Policy and Forest Community Policy

Thai Government Policy on Economic Tree Plantations

Dr. P.K. Thulasidas, Regional Coordinator for Asia Pacific and Oceania (TRMA 2022), SC member of TEAKNET, India

Global Teak Resources and Markets

Dr. Tetra Yanuariadi, Projects Manager, ITTO, Japan

ITTO’s Work on promoting sustainable wood use

Dr. Osamu SAITO, Principal Policy Researcher, IGES, Japan

The Nature Future Framework: Tool to support desirable futures for people, Nature and Mother Earth


Technial Session I: Smallholder Plantations Towards Quality Timber Production

Chairman:
Chairman: Mr. Suchat Kalyawongsa, RFD, Thailand

Mr. Say Sinly, Forest Administration, Cambodia

Progress of the project activity implementation in Cambodia

Mr. Narongchai Chonlapap, Forest Industry Organisation, Thailand

Long-term Teak Plantations towards good quality timber (FIO)

Mr. Boonlert Srisuksai, Technical Advisor to Sritrang Group

Commercial Teak Plantations using Intensive Silvicultural Practices

Dr. Dang Thinh Trieu, VAFS, Hanoi, Vietnam

Development of smallholder Teak plantation in Vietnam

Mr. Vongvilay Vongkhamsao, NAFRI, MAF, Lao PDR

Natural Teak Forests and Plantation in Lao PDR

Dr. Zar Chi Hlaing, Forest Department, Myanmar

Management of Natural Teak Forest and Teak Plantations in Myanmar


Technical Session 2: Forest Plantations and Restoration Contributing to Carbon Neutrality and Teak Value Chains & Micro-finance

Chairman:
Chairman: Dr. Tetra Yanuariadi, Projects Manager, ITTO, Japan

Mr. Nattawin Phongsphetrarat, MD of TPS Garden Furniture Co., Ltd., Thailand

Enhancing teak value chains: Challenges and opportunities

Dr. Michael Jenke, Dept. of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok)

Advancing the sustainability and quality of Thailand’s forest through innovative silviculture and governance

Dr. Ponthep Meunpon, Dept. of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok

Low-Cost UAV as a Tool for Aboveground Biomass Assessment in Teak Plantations: Pros and Cons

Dr. Decha Wiwatwitaya, Dept. of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok

Monitoring and prevention of insect pest in teak plantations