The Fiji Times Back in history: Future of forestry sector – Fiji Times

In 1986 Fiji Pine Commission general manager Peter Drysdale announced that the forestry industry was in a critical stage.

An article in The Fiji Times on November 2 that year quoted him as saying that besides the domestic market demands, forestry should also become primarily geared to the more rigorous demand of export markets in terms of product quality and price structure.

He was speaking at the 10th anniversary of the organisation where about 300 guests were in attendance.

In the export trade, Fiji will be competing against products from highly developed and experienced international forest products organisations, he said.

Given the inherent long-term nature of forestry, decisions affecting the sectors direction several decades from now must be considered at present as part of a long-term development strategy.

He said the decisions should be producing results that were economically and socially profitable for Fiji and the timber resource owners along with private sector investors.

To do so, decisions must be based on a sound analysis of markets and projected trends.

It is imperative that forest resources development and manufacturing processors be market driven.

He also mentioned there was a need to bring cohesion strategies so that major requirements for forestry in the future, like capital, trained labour and infrastructure could be effectively met.

To do so, decisions must be based on a sound analysis of markets and projected trends. It is imperative that forest resources development and manufacturing be market driven.

Cyclones, Mr Drysdale said, would always remain a major constraint in producing cheap and high quality wood.

Our best research efforts in tree breeding and in the development of silvicultural regimes that induce greater wind firmness in trees.

This will, in turn, reduce damage.

The pine industry had provided for a diversification of the economy, development of the rural sector, an exported-oriented industry, created employment and expanded Fijis technological base.

The chief guest at the function was Minister of Primary Industries Charles Walker, who said the pine industry had established itself alongside sugar, tourism and fisheries as the countrys main foreign exchange earner.

Of course, we must not forget the landowners, Mr Walker said.

They are fundamental to the pine industry and have played a leading role in its development.

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The Fiji Times Back in history: Future of forestry sector - Fiji Times