Hon. Bainivalu Announces Success of Maritime Pine Project in Parliament
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Alitia Bainivalu delivered a comprehensive statement on the success and future plans of the Ministry of Forestry’s Maritime Pine Project in Parliament yesterday.
In her address, Hon. Bainivalu highlighted the strategic importance and socio-economic benefits of the Maritime Pine Project, a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Forestry, Fiji Pine Ltd, Fiji Pine Trust, and local landowners. The project aims to sustainably manage maritime pine resources and support local communities through significant investments in machinery, skills training, and resource inventory.
The Maritime Pine Project was introduced to enable maritime communities to utilise their mature pine plantation resources for constructing and renovating houses. Given the challenges faced by logging contractors in transporting logs to the mainland, the government has stepped in to subsidize operations, including purchasing portable sawmill machines. The initiative aims to equip maritime island pine schemes with the necessary tools to harvest, process, and market their pine trees economically.
Hon. Bainivalu outlined the measurable outcomes and benefits realised through the Maritime Pine Development Program:
•Financial Benefits: Landowners in Muani have received $60 per tonne of logs, resulting in a total payout of $0.8 million.
•Employment Opportunities: The project has created numerous job opportunities in logging, transportation, and port operations.
•Infrastructure Development: Construction and upgrading of port facilities, guided by the Fiji Roads Authority, are improving local infrastructure.
•Economic Activity: A $647,000 release to Tropik Wood Industries stimulates economic activity within the private sector through barge subsidies.
•Business Opportunities: New business opportunities and partnerships have emerged in the logistics and transportation sectors.
•Sustainable Practices: The project adheres to sustainable logging practices, enhancing environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility.
The project has also provided timber to build over 50 housing structures, valued at more than $400,000. Specific achievements include:
•In Waiqori, Oneata, 160m³ of logs have been harvested, yielding 92m³ of sawn timber and 19 housing structures.
•In Tubou and Levuka, Lakeba, 70.601m³ of logs have resulted in 40.591m³ of sawn timber and eight housing structures.
•In Nasau and Korotolu, Moce Island, 129.979m³ of logs have produced 73.919m³ of sawn timber and 15 housing structures.
•In Mataso, Kadavu, 450m³ of logs have generated 256m³ of sawn timber and 15 housing structures.
Additionally, vital infrastructure, such as the construction of a jetty in Muani, Kadavu, has facilitated the export of logs, with the first logging barge departing in June.
Hon. Cirikiyasawa outlined the Ministry's plans to expand the Maritime Pine projects in the new financial year:
•Continued support for logistics for Commercial Pine Development, including port construction and sustainable forest management.
•A Rehabilitation integrated restocking program in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Forests.
•Financial literacy training and housing rehabilitation programs.
•Felling, sawmilling, timber treatment, and marketing support for various pine schemes.
•Ongoing support for the Maritime Islands Pine Schemes using the Commercial Maritime Pine Subsidy.
The collaboration with Fiji Pine Ltd and Fiji Pine Trust has been crucial to the project's success. The Ministry has allocated a $1.7 million capital grant to Fiji Pine Trust for the financial year. Activities include developing jetties, establishing a pine nursery in Kadavu, and providing training and business support for pine scheme owners. Tropik Wood Industries, a subsidiary of Fiji Pine Ltd, processes the logs, contributing to both wood chip mill exports and excess power to the national grid.
Hon. Bainivalu concluded her statement by expressing gratitude for the invaluable contributions from Fiji Pine Ltd and Fiji Pine Trust and reiterated the Ministry's commitment to supporting maritime communities through sustainable forestry practices and economic development.
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