Welcome from the project leader
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Dr. Tony Page, Senior Research Fellow, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Australia
Tree growing possibilities
The biodiversity of PNG’s natural forests is well-known. These forests also provide many of the products and services that sustain the livelihoods of the people of PNG. Strong international demand for many forest products has resulted in the substantial depletion of natural sources across many areas of PNG. With demand for such products expected to rise in the future, there is an opportunity to establish smallholder-based planted resources to service these markets.
Many parts of lowland PNG with a high rural population have few timber resources remaining, as these areas were the first to be commercially logged due to their accessibility. There is considerable interest among smallholders in these areas to establish a planted timber resource to meet their own needs, as well as providing an income through the sale of high-value forest products. While these farmers have a strong desire to pursue such opportunities, they are often constrained by the basic requirement of access to seed/seedlings and knowledge on appropriate production regimes.
How will the project help?
The project aims to advance the development of germplasm sources and smallholder-friendly silviculture systems for teak (in PNG) and sandalwood (in PNG and Australia). This includes developing PNG capacity to maintain an ongoing genetic improvement program for sandalwood, as well as communicating and disseminating project research outputs to improve uptake and impact.
The project is establishing improved genetic resources (landraces) of sandalwood in PNG (Central/Morobe Provinces) and further developing existing teak and sandalwood resources in PNG (East New Britain Province) and Australia (Cape York Peninsula) respectively. This will enhance smallholder access to high quality teak germplasm and reduce the risks of losing existing genetic diversity. The project is also supporting the supply of improved teak germplasm through partnerships with the commercial nursery sector. The genetic development of these valuable species will follow a proven approach of forest tree improvement, which includes:
- Profiling genetic variation in wild stands (sandalwood);
- Establishment of provenance/progeny trials;
- Development of seed orchards for the supply of genetically improved seed;
- Identification and clonal propagation of plus trees;
- Implementation of commercial propagation for distribution of material to growers.
What are the expected outcomes?
Economic outcomes
- Increased sales of high quality seedlings.
- Increased sales of high quality forest products from smallholders to their local markets.
- Increased domestic value-adding through processing and export.
Social outcomes
- Enhanced household financial security.
- Increased business opportunities (e.g. community woodlots).
- Increased opportunities for women (e.g. nursery enterprises).
Environmental outcomes
- Revived natural sandalwood populations with reduced ‘threatened’ status.
- Increased utilisation and/or restoration of logged-over forests, as well as marginal, idle or degraded agricultural landscapes.
- Reduced natural forest logging, due to the increased availability of strategically located planted forests.
- Improved diversity of agroforestry systems and enhanced landscape connectivity.
Who is collaborating on this project?
The project is financed by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) with support from the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA).
The project is collaborating with the following implementing agencies:
- Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual & Cultural Advancement (PNG), Warangoi, Papua New Guinea
- Pacific Island Projects, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
- PNG Forest Authority, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- PNG Forest Research Institute, Lae, Papua New Guinea
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Australia
- University for Natural Resources & Environment, Vudal, Papua New Guinea
How can we communicate with you?
The project is promoting face-to-face activities (workshops, discussions and training sessions) with tree growers and local nursery operators, alongside the development of multi-media resources that directly engage with the wider community (landowners, rural development workers, research & development organisations, policy makers and decision makers). This website provides open access to the communication resources listed below.
Tree growers news
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Tree growers tool kit
The project is developing multi-media extension materials for nursery management, tree planting and silviculture (e.g. fact sheets, guidelines and training videos). These resources will be freely available from the Tree Growers Tool Kit that is hosted on the Resources section of this website.
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Photos
Establishment of teak germplasm trials and seed orchards in East New Britain Province
Establishent of satellite community nurseries in East New Britain Province
Project focus area: Communication, learning and knowledge building (CLKB), Community driven development (CDD), Forests, climate change and REDD (FCCREDD)