Small is mighty: Building a more sustainable future through smallholder empowerment

Smallholder plantations are playing an increasingly important role in the supply of tropical timber, supporting rural livelihoods and restoring deforested and degraded landscapes. © ITTO

Smallholder plantations are playing an increasingly important role in the supply of tropical timber, supporting rural livelihoods and restoring deforested and degraded landscapes. 

Across many developing countries, smallholders are key actors in planted forest systems, contributing broad socioeconomic benefits.

At a recent session held as part of an ongoing ITTO-BMLEH webinar series, speakers highlighted both the contributions of smallholder tree farmers and the practical steps needed to further bolster their role in sustainable timber value chains.

Enhancing the impact of smallholder tree farmers

Anto Rimbawanto of Indonesia’s National Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN) emphasized that smallholders are already central to timber supply in many tropical wood producing countries, but that their full potential remains untapped without stronger capacity building, improved market access and supportive policy frameworks. 

He highlighted the ITTO-BMLEH collaborative project on promoting quality teak and other valuable species production as a compelling example of how targeted support can empower smallholders. By combining technical assistance, market information, and access to finance, the project supports farmers to produce higher-quality timber and generate more economic returns. 

Smallholders own roughly one-third of all planted forests worldwide, and supply over twenty percent of global roundwood. In developing countries, forests contribute 22.2% of rural income, highlighting the central role smallholders play for national and household incomes, local investment, and employment.

The Jepara furniture industry in Central Java, Indonesia illustrates this impact in practice. The cluster relies heavily on teak supplied by smallholders, who provide up to 80% of the logs used by an industry supporting around 120,000 workers and contributing 27% of the Regency’s total economic output.

“The example of Jepara shows that empowering smallholders is not only a farm-level issue, but central to sustaining jobs, industry, and local economic development,” said Dr Rimbawanto. 

Experiences from Viet Nam further demonstrate what is possible with sustained policy support.  Following land reforms, more than 500,000 smallholder households now manage 50-70% of the country’s plantation forests. Access to land-use certificates has enabled many to secure low-interest loans, supporting investment and productivity growth, particularly in export-oriented sectors.

These success stories highlight a clear message: when equipped with the right tools, smallholders can become strategic suppliers of quality timber while contributing to climate and restoration goals, landscape restoration, and diversified rural economies, all of which contribute to national goals.

Dr Rimbawanto concluded by stressing that policymakers must focus on enabling conditions, ensuring smallholders can produce high-quality timber, comply with legal standards and regulations, and fully participate in value chains. 

Improving teak productivity

Tree productivity remains a key determinant of smallholder success. C. Buvaneswaran of India’s Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding presented findings from eight case studies conducted in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu examining factors affecting teak (Tectona grandis) growth.

The studies revealed that productivity varies significantly depending on site conditions. While overall growth was higher in southern zones of the state, increased branch wood production in western zones reduced stemwood yield, highlighting how environmental factors shape timber quality and output.

Wind exposure emerged as a particularly limiting factor, while appropriate thinning practices were shown to significantly improve per-tree productivity.

Importantly, the research also demonstrated the benefits of mixed-species systems. Interplanting teak with fast-growing species such as Casuarina sp. not only improved teak productivity but also provided interim income through pulpwood production, an important consideration for smallholders managing long rotation cycles.

These findings offered practical insights for improving plantation management and reinforce the importance of site-specific approaches to maximize productivity, soil fertility, and economic returns.

Smallholder tree-farming systems in the Asia-Pacific Region

A joint report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), with inputs from ITTO and other international partners, that was highlighted during the webinar further demonstrated the impact of smallholder tree farmers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Presented by Faustine Zoveda, Forestry Officer at FAO, the report shows that smallholder systems are already key suppliers of sustainable wood in the region and contributors to resilient agrifood systems. With timber demand projected to increase by approximately 60% over the next 25 years, their role will only become more critical for domestic economies and value chains. 

The report identified several priorities for scaling up impact, including clearer land tenure, improved market access, streamlined regulatory frameworks, and stronger technical support. National-level policies, such as India’s agroforestry policy, demonstrate how coordinated approaches can boost both timber productivity and smallholder earnings.

“There is strong interest and momentum for smallholder tree farming across the region,” Ms Zoveda noted, pointing to increased government engagement.

Improved livelihoods, improved outcomes

Representing ITTO, Director of Forest Management Jennifer Conje, underlined the importance of the webinar series as a platform to strengthen local and regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue.

As phase 2 of the ITTO-BMLEH project approaches completion in December 2026, its results are already demonstrating how international cooperation can deliver tangible benefits. Across the six participating countries (Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Togo), the project has supported improved timber quality, strengthened smallholder capacity, and contributed to better social and environmental outcomes. 

With smallholders now managing approximately a quarter of the world’s teak plantations, scaling up such efforts will be essential.

“The experience of the ITTO-BMLEH project clearly shows that with targeted investment and enabling policies, smallholders can play a transformative role in meeting future timber demand while advancing sustainable development and international tropical forestry objectives,” stated Sheam Satkuru, Executive Director of the ITTO. “We are hopeful for continued support of such productive efforts moving forward.”