The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is testing 15 varieties of lesser-used wood species to identify the criteria for their processing and marketing to reduce stakeholders’ demand for the popular ones.
A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said the woods are being tested for three main qualities: durability, marine-borer and abrasion, under a project that seeks to provide necessary information that will allow stakeholders to utilise them. It was developed in response to local furniture manufacturers’ call for greater accessibility of supplies and technical information since they have expressed a willingness to use some of the lesser-used species.
The GFC, Forest Products Marketing Council and the International Tropical Timber Organisation are implementing the project which seeks to introduce the lesser-used wood species in order to reduce the demand for popular varieties. The lesser-used species include the Limonimonaballi, Huruasa, Sarebebeballi, Suya, Black Kakaralli and Kautaballi, GINA said.
According to the GFC Head of Planning and Development Division, Pradeepa Bholanauth, the US$95,000 project, which started last February, has been progressing well and is nearing completion. It entails three main components: testing of the lesser-used species at laboratories overseas, promotional activities and training of forestry stakeholders on the wood properties. The testing activity is expected to be completed shortly and a report submitted by early January while under the promotional component, a publication was developed and is currently being distributed among stakeholders, the release said.
Additionally, planning and organising are underway for the training programme which will be held countrywide. These activities are among the efforts taken to ensure sustainable forestry development through which a National Log Export Policy is being developed to address the high level of log export and further develop the value-added sector. National consultations have been held with key stakeholders to incorporate their views on the policy while discussions have been held at other technical levels.
According to GINA the local forestry sector contributes about six per cent to the Gross Domestic Product and employs about 25,000 persons. It plays a significant role in the country’s development, particularly in the rural and hinterland communities, where forestry activities generate income for many households. The sector grew by 12 per cent in 2006 with export earnings amounting to US$59.5M compared with US$48M in 2005.
