Mufindi: In virtually every country in the world with significant forest resources, forest industries (both wood and non-wood) have played and continue to play a key role in overall socio-economic development.
The production, harvesting, processing and trade of timber and other forest products, together with associated secondary industries, are significant sources of employment and income, especially in rural areas with limited alternatives.
This was sounded by Private Forestry Programme (PFP) National Private Forestry Advisor, Sangito Sumari during the just ended Forestry and Wood industries Trade Fair held in Mufindi district, Iringa region recently.
The trade fair was coincided with 21 March, which is the International Day of Forests, the Day that celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. UN General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012.
He said that the Forest industry converts the resource into economic and social values which are available to society at large, thus justifying forests as a land-use alternative that is in competition with others.
The Private Forestry Programme – Panda Miti Kibiashara (PFP) is anticipating planting more than 15,000 hectares of pine and eucalyptus plantation forests in different areas of the programme before end of programme, it has been established.
He said for this year planting season, the programme have already produced at least 7,000,000 tree seedlings in different tree nurseries using new improved tree seeds, adding that they wanted to start producing quality improved tree seedlings locally so that tree farmers can plant trees that can grow within shortest possible time.
Sumari said that the wood is mosltly used for timber as well as poles, firewood and charcoal production, adding that the PFP will also start generating tree seedlings from quality tree seeds and given to small scale tree growers in different parts of the country.
He said that for many years the government has been spending a lot money tree seeds from outside the country but the with presence of the programme will now make tree seeds locally, hence preserve foreign exchange.
PFP had organized a joined trade fair for all forest and wood industries, from private tree growers to saw millers and machinery manufacturers.
The purpose of this two-day event (March 20-21) was to connect the most qualified buyers with sellers and machinery producers in the industry.
According to Sumari, Trade Fair was the premier trade show event for all in forest and wood industry to showcase their latest products and services, meet with industry partners and customers, and seek new business opportunities.
The trade fair was officially opened by Iringa Regional Commissioner Amina Masenza in collaboration with other regional commissioners from Njombe, Rukwa and Ruvuma regions.
However, PFP Team Leader Michael Hawkes said the forest sector in the country has the potential to be an important driver of socio-economic development which can contribute to wealth creation and poverty reduction.
“We have a special focus on wood sawing, drying and preserving equipment hence demand for quality products as a complete forest value chain,” Hawkes said.
He said that forest sector has diverse benefits such as fair employment opportunities and carbon sequestration in Tanzania as the whole and in the southern highlands in particular.
Hawkes noted that the value chain analysis carried out by the PFP concluded that investments in the forest industry sector were inadequately, adding the most forest products have not been utilized properly.
The private forestry program (PFP) is a bilateral initiative between the governments of Finland and Tanzania. The aim of the program is to increase the income in the southern highland by promoting market-driven scientific private plantation forestry and developing the forest industry.
In December 2017, the program has established the forestry and wood industries training centre (FWITC) in Mafinga to fill void, according to training Coordinator/expert Yohana Tweve.
He said the FWITC offers a wide range of services ranging from practical training in all forestry related issues to support and advice I business planning, management and development to product development, machinery procurement, networking and finding funding.
The Programme aims at increasing rural income in the Southern Highlands area of Tanzania through developing sustainable plantation forestry and value addition.
Hawkes said that one of the main objectives was to support private plantation establishment with the priority on small holder owners, who will also be supported by assisting them in their efforts to establish Tree Growers’ Associations (TGAs) to gain group benefits when entering timber markets.
Some stakeholders who participated in the just ended forestry and wood industries trade fair in iringa region have expressed gratitude towards private forestry program (PFP) for organization the event.
They said the trade was great opportunity to interact with various people whereby they educate them on the importance of forestry and its products.
Rose Kalinga is a communications and public relations officer for sao hill industries ltd of green resources Tanzania said the trade fair helped her organization to meet with people and customers.
She said they have used the trade fair to educate people about importance of forests and forest products, adding that forestry is not only about timber but there are so many investment opportunities like bio-energy from forest waste products.
However, a lot trade fair goers were more attracted to the newer technology of Slidetech circular sawmill which was developed by a Finnish Sawyer entrepreneur Tommi Laine, who was not happy with sawmills that could not withstand heavy use.
The Slidetech sawmill stands out in many areas important to sawyers all over the world, but one thing that rises above other is durability.
Modern technology allows the primary energy needs of forest industries and their environmental impact to be small compared with other industries using non-renewable raw materials and producing competing products.
A major part of industry residues are used as raw materials for other products or for energy generation.
The aspiration of the company is to improve the future of wood cutting business and provide the best equipment for the professionals.
In concluding, on each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
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