Call to establish pine schemes
LANDOWNERS interested in establishing pine schemes on their land can express their interest to the Ministry of Forests.
Fiji Pine Trust manager extension services Pita Rokobiau said those wishing to express their interest must also secure and have with them the signed consent of 60 per cent of the members of their land owning unit.
Mr Rokobiau said landowners could benefit in so many ways from cultivating pine.
“There are five main commodities from pine which are — logs, poles for electrification, posts for construction purposes, wood pulp; and resin — which is still being developed at this stage,” he said.
“In terms of ownership of pine schemes, once they are established, we want to reiterate that they belong to resource owners.
“Landowners intending to establish pines will be assisted by the ministry and the Fiji Pine Ltd with seedlings, establishment of nurseries and technical assistance.
“Once pine schemes are established, it would also open up partnerships for other forestbased ventures with the Ministry of Forests.”
Mr Rokobiau said the current three top biggest pine schemes in the country included the ones in Lakeba, which consisted of 500 hectares of pine land with 1.5 million pine trees, Western Division
with 1.2 million trees which are currently being partially logged and Kadavu which hosts 10 pine schemes.
“Currently Fiji hosts 2500 plus hectares of pine land with more 25 million matured pine trees,” he said.
In terms of pine schemes, once they are established, we want to reiterate that they belong to landowners.
– Pita Rokobiau