The National Forestry Programme

This is the draft National Forestry Programme and as such is a working document and not a formal programme document. It should not be interpreted as an approved programme of the Government of Swaziland or the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives until it has been finally agreed and adopted.

5 INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY

The industrial forest sector is an important economic asset to the national economy. The forest resource has to be managed on a sustainable basis, ensuring long-term viability. The industrial forest sector has also important multiple functions with respect to social services and environmental conservation. Future expansion of plantation forest is dependent on demand of forest products and changing patterns in world trade. The role of the state has to be defined with respect to regulations and incentives relevant to the development of the industrial forestry sector.

The Industrial Forestry Action Programme is split into the following strategies, each of them representing a group of actions:

Sustainable management of commercial plantations

Outgrower schemes and other activities of national and community interest

Expansion of forest plantations and promotion of value adding industries

5.1 Sustainable management of commercial plantations

Plantation forestry has an impact on the environment in general and on biodiversity in particular, with water use efficiency and soil degradation as key issues. Sustainable forest management needs to be applied at all levels of operations, by both large and small forest plantations. Forest companies need to comply with sets of regulations based on defined criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management.

5.1.1 Summary of key issues

Nationally developed criteria and indicators for sustainable industrial forest management have not been completed nor implemented.
Long-term economic plantation productivity needs continued and detailed monitoring.
The risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified tree species need to be assessed.
Plantation forests consume large amounts of water, which needs to be further researched.
Certain industrial forestry activities have a negative impact on soil properties and may lead to irreversible soil degradation.
Industrial forestry has in general a negative impact on biodiversity through replacing natural vegetation by mono-cultures.
Wood processing industries discharge effluents which may lead to pollution.
Overall commercial management of wattle forests is poor and production of timber and bark tannin is low.
There is a need for a balanced land use strategy embracing plantation forestry.

5.1.2 Strategy to establish sustainable management of commercial plantations

To develop and apply measures and practices which enable establishment of economic, social and environmental sustainable forest management contributing to the economic and social well being of Swaziland.

5.1.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 5.1.1 Complete criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and comply with the defined regulations (Policy reference 2.1.1.1)	High	Short-term		Government Companies	x
Activities
- Complete criteria and indicators for industrial forestry		2002	1y	DoF	Expertise
- Facilitate adoption by companies		2003	1y	DoF
- Comply with criteria and related policies and laws		2003	2y	Companies
Action 5.1.2 Establish economic sustainability of plantations (Policy reference 2.1.1.2.1)	Medium	Long-term		Companies Government	x
Activities
- Set up joint research programmes to improve sustainability		2003	1y	DoF/Comp	Funding
- Prioritise tree and site improvement programmes		2003	1y	Comp
- Improve pest, disease and fire management		2003	2y	Comp/DoF
- Set up monitoring systems of forest management practices		2004	3y	Comp/DoF	Funding
- Apply continuous monitoring of forest management		2007	20y	DoF	Expertise
Action 5.1.3 Control introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), notably tree species (Policy reference 2.1.1.2.2)	Medium	Short-term		Government	x
Activities
- Introduce regulations to apply national and international guidelines on Biosafety with the inclusion of a risk assessment		2003	1y	SEA/DoF	Expertise
- Set up an approval and monitoring system for the introduction and cultivation of genetically modified tree species		2004	1y	SEA/DoF	Funding Expertise
- Define a national policy and legislation of GMOs		2005	1y	SEA/DoF/Comp	Expertise Funding
Action 5.1.4 Establish sustainable integrated watershed management through regulation of resource utilisation (Policy reference 2.1.2.2)	High	Medium-term		Government Companies Communities Land users	x
Activities
Arrange for representation of all stakeholders in water basin authorities and watershed management		2003	2y	MNRE:WRB
Increase co-operation of plantation companies with other watershed users		2003	2y	Comp/WRB
Increase the role of plantation forests in promotion of recreation, tourism and protection of biodiversity		2004	4y	Comp/MTEC	Expertise
Action 5.1.5 Introduce methods to improve efficiency of water consumption (Policy reference 2.1.1.4.1)	High	Medium- to long-term		Government Companies Land users	x
Activities
- Complete national mapping of water catchments and water courses, including coverage of major land uses		2003	2y	MNRE:WRB LUPS
- Estimate specific water consumption by all users within the watersheds, for each land use category		2005	1y	WRB	Expertise
- Reach sustainable and balanced agreements on the use of water within watersheds		2005	2y	WRB/LUPS Comp/Comm
- Initiate programmes to improve efficiency of water consumption (see also Action 5.1.2)		2006	5y	WRB/Comp Individual Users	Funding Human resources
- Monitor the effectiveness of water use efficiency programmes		2007	20y	WRB	Human resources
Action 5.1.6 Reduce the negative effects of forestry activities on soil properties (Policy reference 2.1.1.4.2)	Medium	Medium- to long-term		Companies Government	x
Activities
- Improve harvesting and other mechanised forestry practices, following FAO guidelines		2003	3y	Companies
- Control the use of chemicals (fertilisers and pesticides) following forest legislation and other relevant guidelines		2003	3y	Companies
- Set up a monitoring system to monitor soil conditions		2005	1y	Comp/Govt	Expertise
- Apply remedial measures to address nutrient deficiencies, acidification and compaction		2005	5y	Companies
- Monitor soil conditions affected by mechanised forestry practises (see also Action 5.1.2)		2006	20y	DoF/MOAC:Soil Testing	Expertise
Action 5.1.7 Improve methods to maintain biodiversity within forest plantations at acceptable levels (Policy reference 2.1.1.4.3)	High	Short- to long-term		Companies Government	xx
Activities
- Define acceptable and realistic levels of biodiversity within forest plantations		2003		SEA/DoF/Comp	Expertise Funding
- Improve management practices and measures aiming at conservation of valuable ecosystems and specific habitats, e.g. through preservation, buffer zones, control of burning		2004		Companies	Expertise
- Apply, upgrade and monitor standard regulations such as EIA and Environmental Audits		2003		SEA/DoF/Comp	Expertise Human resources
Action 5.1.8 Limit pollution from effluents from wood production and processing industries (Policy reference 2.1.1.4.4)	Very high	Short- to long-term		Government	xx
Activities
- Take measures to improve the control system and monitoring capacity		2003	1y	SEA	Expertise Funding
- Enforce waste and other applicable regulations and legislation with a focus on the ‘polluter pays’ principle		2003	20y	SEA	Human resources
Action 5.1.9 Improve management and efficiency of wattle forestry (Policy reference 2.2.2.1)	Very high	Short-term		Government Wattle Growers
Activities
- Improve the organisation of commercial wattle growers		2003	1y	DoF/W.Growers
- Carry out mapping, define boundaries and register current extensions of wattle forests and stands		2003	2y	DoF/W.Growers
- Improve the site selection and planning for wattle forest and apply Environmental Impact Assessments		2004	2y	DoF/LUPS/SEA Wattle Growers
- Introduce sustainable wattle forestry practices		2004	3y	DoF/W.Growers

5.2 Outgrower schemes and other activities of national and community interest

The plantation forest companies have initiated important additional developments towards the multiple use of the plantation forests, including commercial, social and environmental activities. Of particular importance are the commercial outgrower schemes by which companies are enlarging their plantation scope by contracting rural timber outgrowers in nearby communities to grow timber on Swazi Nation Land (SNL). The efficiency and sustainability of the outgrower schemes has to be investigated and monitored, based on experience obtained from the ongoing activities.

Forestry companies enhance the social and economic livelihoods of neighbouring communities by providing fuelwood and giving access to plantations for the collection of forest products. The role of plantation forests in these and other developments, such as integrated watershed management, joint ventures and partnerships needs to be further investigated, promoted and established. Attention needs to be given to the impact of industrial forestry on the neighbouring people, in particular to ameliorate negative effects.

5.2.1 Summary of key issues

Land suitability and environmental aspects are not satisfactorily covered in the planning of outgrower schemes.
Traditional administration and rights with respect to the land and tree tenure are not properly incorporated in the selection of land for outgrower schemes.
Relationships between forestry companies and communities are not always optimal.
Not all forest companies have satisfactory programmes in place to provide neighbouring communities with plantation forest products.
There is insufficient co-ordination between plantation forest companies and other watershed users on the multiple functions of the watershed.
Increased supply from plantation forests and forest industries is needed to alleviate the growing demand for fuelwood and other energy sources.

5.2.2 Strategy to enhance outgrower schemes and other beneficiary plantation schedules

To establish favourable conditions for the creation of new opportunities for local participation in commercial wood production and for a more equitable communal and national sharing of benefits from forest plantation products.

5.2.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 5.2.1 Stimulate good relationship between forest companies and communities as part of social sustainability (Policy reference 2.1.1.3)	Very high	Short-term		Companies Individuals Government
Activities
Establish a permanent forum for discussion and mediation to solve outstanding issues and improve mutual understanding		2003	1y	Tinkhundla/MEE Companies/DoF
Action 5.2.2 Involve traditional administrative structures in the selection of land for outgrower schemes (Policy reference 2.1.3.2)	Very high	Short-term		Government Communities
Activities
- Establish consultation mechanisms between Government and traditional administrative structures to ensure security of tenure of trees and land and to resolve conflict situations		2003	1y	Tinkhundla Communities Resettlement Authorities
Action 5.2.3 Improve the planning of outgrower schemes (Policy reference 2.1.3.1)	Very high	Short-term		Government Companies Individuals	x
Activities
- Direct the focus of afforestation planning on utilisation and rehabilitation of marginal and degraded land		2003	1y	DoF/LUPS Companies
- Incorporate environmental and biodiversity aspects in planning of schemes and apply Environmental Impact Assessment		2003	1y	DoF/SEA	Expertise
Action 5.2.4 Provide sustainable social and economic benefits to neighbouring communities (Policy reference 2.1.2.1)	Very high	Short-term		Government Companies Communities
Activities
- Extend and enhance programmes to improve the controlled collection of forest products to communities		2003	3y	Company/CommTinkhundla
Action 5.2.5 Increase the contribution of the forest industry to the national energy supply (Policy reference 2.1.2.3)	Very high	Short- to medium-term		Companies Government
Activities
- Agree on provisions and regulations to increase the forest industry contribution to the national energy supply		2003	1y	Companies MNRE:DoE
- Arrange to increase the supply of fuelwood to communities		2003	5y	Companies/DoF
- Investigate options of conversion and processing of timber waste and saw dust		2003	2y	Companies/DoF MNRE:DoE
- Investigate options of commercial trade in waste, e.g. through licensing systems		2004	1y	Companies/DoF

5.3 Expansion of forest plantations and promotion of value adding industries

The feasibility of expansion of forest plantations depends on factors such as the future demand for industrial forest products, including the domestic market, exports and international trade. Land for expansion of forest plantations is increasingly difficult to find in Swaziland. Commercial forestry is competing with other land uses, such as crop production, grazing and residential use. According to the National Development Strategy (NDS) new commercial forestry plantations should only be developed in those Highveld areas with sufficient rainfall and low potential for other agricultural use, taking care not to disturb ecological and population balance. Conversion of land to plantation forest is now subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) through the Regulations of the Swaziland Environment Authority Act.

The majority of commercial forest products are currently exported as unprocessed wood or semi-processed products, with relatively low added value, which constitutes a lost opportunity for Swaziland in terms of revenue generation, foreign exchange earnings and job creation. It is therefor important to offer adequate conditions and incentives to potential investors for the establishment of downstream forest products processing industries.

5.3.1 Summary of key issues

International demand for wood products may favour the expansion of plantation forestry in Swaziland, but suitable land is not available for large-scale expansion.
The majority of commercial forest products are currently exported as unprocessed wood or semi-processed products, with relatively low added value.
Current fiscal practice indicates that Government is not generating sufficient revenue from certain forestry practices, and no revenue at all from others.

5.3.2 Strategy to expand commercial forest plantations and promote value adding industries

To undertake integrated land use planning to facilitate sustainable expansion of industrial forestry and to create enabling conditions for the establishment of new processing industries

5.3.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 5.3.1 Promote a gradual and sustainable expansion of the industrial forest area, however considering effects on overall land use, population and biodiversity (Policy reference 2.1.4.1)	High	Short- to long-term		Government Companies	x
Activities
- Focus planning for new plantations in principle on areas with high rainfall and low potential for other agricultural uses		2003	2y	DoF/LUPS
- Carry out rational and integrated land use planning in order to achieve overall balance in land use distribution		2003	2y	LUPS/DoF	Human resources
- Review the Control of Tree Planting Act of 1972 to allowing more flexibility to grant tree-planting in specific circumstances where forestry appears the most efficient production system		2003	1y	DoF
- Take into cognisance the investment and industrial development policies and laws of Swaziland		2004	2y	DoF/MEE
- Ensure that actual industrial forest expansion follows integrated investment development and land use planning		2005	20y	Companies
Action 5.3.2 Promote the establishment of value adding industries for the processing of wood products (Policy reference 2.1.5.1)	Very high	Short- to medium-term		Government Companies	x
Activities
- Create an enabling environment for potential investors by providing adequate human resources and infrastructure		2003	5y	MEE
- Enhance existing tax incentives and investigate options for temporary exemption and protection		2003	2y	MoF
- Investigate the effects of appropriate measures to discourage the export of unprocessed and semi-processed forest products		2003	2y	MoF/Comp	Expertise
Action 5.3.3 Increase the overall generation of revenue from forestry practices (Policy reference 2.1.5.2)	High	Short-term		Government	x
Activities
- Introduce stumpage taxes for harvesting concessions on government land and Swazi Nation Land		2004	2y	MoF/DoF	Expertise
- Introduce appropriate resource rental for leased government land and Swazi Nation Land		2004	3y	MoF/DoF	Expertise

This page was last updated on 27 October 2004