Total Production From Plantations Reached 1.23 Million M3

Production of plantation timber in Sabah past the 1 million m³ mark last year for the first time. Total production from plantations reached 1.23 million m³. Sabah Forestry director Datuk Sam Mannan said total production from plantation timber had increased by 141% since 2001, with Acacia mangium showing the most significant increase at 231%, making it the major plantation species produced over the last 10 years. Last year, Acacia mangium accounted for 87% of the total production of plantation timber, followed by Eucalyptus grandis at 11% and Gmelina arborea. However, use of rubber wood remains low despite the extensive clearing of old rubber plantations for replanting new rubber trees. Sabah Forest Industries Sdn Bhd accounted for 60% of last year's production, making it the state’s biggest plantation timber producer, followed by Sabah Forestry Development Authority at 16%, Sabah Softwoods Bhd at 12% and Benta Wawasan Sdn Bhd at 11%. Log production from natural forests was approximately 2.6 million m³, higher than plantation timber, however, Datuk Sam said that the state's goal of making plantation timber the major source of raw materials for the timber industry could be achieved if the current trend continued. Source: ttjonline.com