Project/activity information

This 3-year project will implement ecological research, industrial research and marketing and training activities to promote utilization of 25 lesser-known species from Honduras. Timber from these species is expected to be produced by implementing forest management plans prepared by COHDEFOR within the Braodleaved Forest Development Porject (BFDP), supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The BFDP area is made up of 110,000 ha of tropical forest situated in the north of Honduras. Timber will be sustainbly produced by local farmers, with simple technologies of very low environemntal impact, in 10 integrated management areas (IMA), which are physically demarcated in the field and are under the care of local communities. About 1,500 farmers live in the area, of which 500 are members of the Colon Agroforestry Regional Cooperative. The project proposes to work with the Cooperative, independent farmers and selected timber industries to study the harvesting and use of lesser-known species, involving logging in 60 hectares. Five cubic meters per hectare will be harvested in a control area (30 ha) producing traditional species, while thirty cubic meters per hectare will be harvested in the other 30ha, whch will have production expanded to include lesser-known species. The total harvesting under the project will be limited to 1,050m3 to allow a study on the ecological impact of LKS extractions and limited processing and market research and trials needed for assessing potential uses and market possibilities.

The ecological research will include basic forest ecology studies as well as assessments of impact of expanded harvesting in forest regeneration, soils, biodiversity and water resources, and non-wood products potential. Appropriate, low-impact harvesting technologies will be studied and incuded in a field handbook designed to disseminate these techniques, and recommended silvicultural practices to the local farmers.

Another practical handbook will be prepared containing information to improve timber processing, particularly sawing and drying. Literature studies and laboratory and industrial trials will also be carried out to assist determination of end-uses, taking into account national and external markets. A market promotion program will be designed and implemented.

A training program will be implemented along with the project research and studies. Eight hundred farmers will receive training on sustainable forest management and use of forest resources, of which three hundred are women expected to be involved in reforestation and collection of non-wood products. In addition, two hundred workers and technicians from the Cooperative and participating industries will be trained on appropriate harvesting and processing technologies.