The project, "Promoting the Sustainable Production of Sandalwood in Fiji", was successfully launched from September 27-28, 2024. The project launch workshop, held in Suva, Fiji, brought together high-level representatives from key project stakeholders, including Fiji’s Ministry of Forestry, local forestry research institutes and universities, participating NGOs and communities, and APFNet, as well as honored guests from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China (NFGA) and the Chinese Embassy in Fiji.
Project inception group photo (@ J. Tuisinu, Ministry of Forestry, Fiji)
Hon. Alitia Bainivalu, the Minister for Forestry, Fiji (@ J. Tuisinu)
Hon. Alitia Bainivalu, the Fijian Minister for Forestry addressed the project launch workshop. She pointed out that prior to this project, piloting efforts had been primarily on establishing large scale plantations for two exotic species – pine and mahogany, the two main timber species in Fiji today. She appreciated APFNet’s funding to the project, which would mark the first large plantations for the Fijian native tree species, and hopefully a good start-point for large-scale and high-quality growth of this valuable wood species and sustainable production of related products.
Mr. Liu Keyong, the Director General of NFGA (@ J. Tuisinu)
Mr. Liu Keyong, the Director General of NFGA, congratulated the successful project launch and praised APFNet’s commitments to regional SFM through ground-level demonstrations, which have served as “wellsprings of knowledge and laid foundation for changes” in his remark. He looked forward to strengthening Sino-Fijian technical exchanges and capacity development activities, to contribute to the project and future bilateral collaborations.
Dr. Lu De, the Executive Director of APFNet (@Xin Shuyu, APFNet)
Dr. Lu De, the Executive Director of APFNet highlighted that the Pacific Islands was one of APFNet’s geographical focuses, with Fiji being a crucial partner. Both sides have built extensive and decade-long collaborations on capacity-building programs, policy exchanges, and field SFM actions. This sandalwood project was expected to equip local stakeholders with the know-how to improve the growth and quality, management, and utilization of local sandalwood plantations, increase the values of related products, and enhance the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. It was also hoped that project outputs and outcomes would be replicated and benefit the region.
The first project steering committee meeting (@Xin Shuyu)
Following the opening session, the project steering committee (PSC) was officially established to discuss the arrangements for the initial project year. With PSC guidance and technical support from local and regional expertise, the project team would focus on fundamental work such as nursery construction in Suva and Nadi, high-quality sandalwood seed collection, plantation designing and land preparation, as well as planting demonstration.
Visits were then arranged to the planned project sites, i.e. (1) the Colo-i-Suva Forestry Research Station and Lololo Forestry Research Station, where 2 nurseries (3500m2) will be established, (2)a 60-ha plot identified in Matacaucau, Namalata District, Tailevu Province to demonstrate mixed plantations of sandalwood and other valuable tree species or fruit trees, and (3) a research site in the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute, where hosts species best for sandalwood growth would be tested.
Dr. Lu De discussed the sandalwood host options with
the Project Director Dr. Naikatini (@Xin Shuyu)
About the project:
The project "Promoting the Sustainable Production of Sandalwood in Fiji" aims to promote sustainable sandalwood plantations, management, and best practices, while enhancing long-term rural socio-economic development in Fiji.
APFNet funds about USD one million to this project, which focuses on three main areas: (1) upgrading the sandalwood nursery capacity to produce high-quality seedlings and expand natural stands; (2) establishing sandalwood plantation demonstrations and improving knowledge among landholders on sandalwood propagation and management; and (3) offering training programs for forest technicians and local farmers on sandalwood seedling raising, planting, agroforestry, organic farming, and maintenance.