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Commonwealth
Forests | | |
 FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PRIVATE FORESTRY
Several countries give financial or other support to private growers. Malaysia, for example,
established in 2006 the Forest Plantation Programme, with initial government funding of
RM200mil to support landowners and plantation companies farming on state-lease forest land
who are expected to plant some 375,000ha with species like rubberwood, and Acacia
mangium over the next 15 years (Asia Business Monitor 26 May 2006).
In Uganda the Sawlog Production Grant Scheme (SPGS) is an EC-funded project that provides
subsidies for private sector tree planters as well as technical support and practical training.
The first phase of the project (2004-2006) achieved its target of 5,000 hectares of plantations
and a second 2-year phase has recently been approved, which should subsidise a further
5,000ha of private sector tree planting. See http://www.sawlog.ug
Canadian Provinces offer
different levels and types of support to private growers. Dansereau (2003) compared the
policies of Québec and Ontario Provinces. The former actively supported private forest owners
by providing a technical and financial support programme, land tax reimbursement, a
mechanism and loan guarantee programme for the purchase of land and equipment, plants free
of charge for reforestation, and protection services for insects and disease. Ontario only
offered land tax reduction. The rate of reforestation on private land was 12 times higher in
Quebec, in terms of trees planted yearly.
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