Establishment of farmers' woodlots in Sri Lanka

Establishment of farmers' woodlots in Sri Lanka

Abstract of a seminar presentation

Asanka Wijewarnasuriya

Farmers’ Woodlots are an outcome of some donor funded social forestry projects such as Participatory Forestry Project (1993-1999) implemented by the Forest Department. There are about 15,500 ha of Farmers’ Woodlots have been established in 19 districts of Sri Lanka. The major species used for this purpose is teak (Tectona grandis). In addition to that, species such as Neem (Azadirachta indica), Eucalypts (Eucalyptus species) and Khaya (Khaya senegelensis) have also been used. There are monocultures and mixed-cultures such as Neem-Teak mix.

People belonged to lower income groups have been selected for this programme and they were given incentives for the establishment of Woodlots. They were given lands under a lease agreement for a period of 25 years, and food coupons, seedlings, fertilizer, right of intercropping in the given land and technical assistance were also given. Those incentives encouraged them to establish Woodlots by using their labour, time and knowledge. People have the right to harvest timber after the rotation age of 25 years.

Establishment of Farmers’ Woodlots has contributed to increase the tree cover and to conserve the natural forests. By fufilling the objective of establishing those forests, poverty reduction has occurred due to Farmers’ Woodlots. However, growth rates in most Farmers’ Woodlots are poor. In accordance to provincial yield table values, most of the woodlots fall in height class III. In respect of Farmers’ Woodlots, per tree average volume was found to be 38% with regards to provincial yield table values. The major reason for poor growth rates has been the less productivity associated with the lands selected. Mismatching of species and sites, water shortage, uncontrolled burning of weeds have been other reasons for poor growth.

Most of the people participated for Farmers’ Woodlots Programmes, due to early incentives. Therefore, it is obvious that people haven’t been educated well about the importance of the programme. Inadequate monitoring and assistance of Forest Department is another problem which has lead to weak maintenance of Woodlots by farmers. Most of the people who participated to Farmers’ Woodlots Programme have ignored the final or the long-term benefit which is timber. Due to the incentives given, people have completed the planting of seedlings and the maintenance of Woodlots during the first 3-4 years successfully. However, in respect of the long-term benefits, Farmers’ Woodlots Programme has been unsuccessful.

In order to overcome those issues, it can be recommended that planting of Nitrogen Fixing Trees in vacant places after thinning operations, planting of elephant repellent tree species around the woodlots and extending the rotation period for existing woodlots. For newly establishing woodlots consideration of site-species compatibility, use of fast growing species and use of a better monitoring plan can also be recommended.