Forest Department, plantation players discuss industrial forestry R&D

KUCHING: The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) recently held a research and development (R&D) discussion with plantation industries.

Chaired by FDS director Datu Hamden Mohammad, the output of R&D on industrial forestry conducted by government agencies and universities was shared through presentations by the Sarawak Timber Association, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation and members from the Licence for Planted Forests (LPF).

Among the issues raised during the meeting were source of planting materials; pest and disease attacks; soil study and site-species matching; cooperation from all involved parties; and data and information sharing among all researchers and licensees.

FDS, in a statement, said LPF members were also actively involved in the discussion and sharing of research work sessions.

The discussion was held to kickstart a series of discussions and brainstorms in the future to identify gaps of all R&D on industrial forests in Sarawak and to put forward strategic R&D framework for the development of industrial forest plantations in the state.