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.
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
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
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)
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