Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Improving silvicultural and economic outcomes for community timber plantations in the Solomon Islands by interplanting with Flueggea flexuosa and other Pacific agroforestry species

Project ID:
FST/2007/020
Collaborating Countries:
Solomon Islands
Project Locations
Commissioned Organisation:
Griffith University, Australia
Project Leader
Professor Gary Bacon
Phone: 07 3735 6709
Fax: 07 3735 7459
Email: g.bacon@griffith.edu.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Australia
  • Integrated Tree Cropping Limited, Australia
  • N&S Consulting, Solomon Islands
  • Ministry of Natural Resources, Solomon Islands
  • Maraghoto Consultancy Services, Solomon Islands
  • Pacific Australia Reforestation Co Ltd, Australia
  • Solomon Islands College of Higher Education, Solomon Islands
  • Ministry of Education and Training, Solomon Islands
  • Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd, Solomon Islands
  • Hopevale Shire Council, Australia
Project Budget:
$1,099,750
Project Duration:
01/04/2008 - 31/03/2012
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Russell Haines
Project Overview

A significant community-based teak plantation industry is now emerging in the Solomon Islands. Teak is a high value timber with a strong market demand that is likely to escalate as the supply of timber from natural forests dwindles. This project aims to develop agroforestry systems, suitable for smallholders, based on wider final-crop spacing of teak or rosewood, and row inter-planting with tree species that could be harvested as a commercial crop at an earlier age. This will address the silvicultural problems that have become evident as a result of grower reluctance to thin pre-commercially. The project will also investigate high value products from small sized logs of teak, rosewood and interplanted species. Based on some quite conservative assumptions, annual yield from the teak component alone of a realistic 20,000 hectare estate would be 200,000 cubic metres with a Free On Board value of US$90 million.