Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (EAPD)

Managing Institute:
The Edinburgh Centre for Tropical Forests

Contractor:
University ofEdinburgh

Forestry Commission

Project Code: 145-502-008	Start Date: 25-May-93	End Date: Mar. 30, 1996
Commitment: £596,674	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
Pine is used in construction, plywood, pit props and pulp. Pine is currently produced efficiently, with the World Bank estimating that the economic rate of return for pine plantations is 16-18%. A policy for expanding domestic production is being implemented through intensively managed high yielding plantations under the National Plantation Programme. The excess of domestic demand over supply is not expected to be closed in the foreseeable future. Plantation establishment is a major component of government policy to reduce dependence on imported timber.

The proposed project seeks to raise the productivity of pine production, and thereby the economic rate of return, by developing a system for genetic improvements in P.caribaea which can then be used in mass production, particularly in southern China.

Chinese Fir is the single most important plantation species, with 4.8 million hectares planted. It is used for construction, primarily in roundwood form as beams and poles. With prospective rates of housing development (given the very low floor space per capita), supply is unlikely to keep pace with deamnd. Chinese Fir is produced efficiently - a recent World Bank report estimated an economic rate of return of 17% to 21%.

The project seeks to raise the economic rate of return to Chinese Fir production by reduing the decline in yield in the second and third rotations, through changes in site preparation practice.

China is a net importer of timber - 11 million cubic metres in 1988 (at a cost of $2 billion) and expected to rise to 20 million cubic metres by year 2000. Larch is used mainly for pulpwood and occasionally in construction. Larch is currently produced efficiently, with the World Bank estimating that the economic rate of return for larch plantation is 14%. A policy for expanding domestic production is being implemented through intensively managed high yielding plantations under the National Plantation Programme. The excess of domestic demand over supply is not expectrd to be closed in the foreseeable future.

The project seeks to raise the productivity of larch production, and thereby the economic rate of return, by developing a system for genetic improvements in hybrid larch which can then be used in mass production.

Project Objectives:
ECTF to administer the Forestry Programme in China on behalf of DFID. The projects will include: Pine Tree Improvement Larch Tree Improvement and Fir Yield Decline Study.

Intended Outputs:
Intended Outputs for the Pine Sub-Project are:

Detailed plan for the conduct of collaborative research.

Establishment of contacts and supply links for acquisition of improved seed.

Review, assembly and publication of information of P.caribaea in China and elsewhere.

Definition of a breeding strategy for P.caribaea in China.

Establishment and management of seed orchards.

Enhanced ability of the Chinese Academy of Forestry to manage information on genetic material of pine.

Dissemination of information on genetics, tree improvement and early establishment of pines and larch.

Enhanced ability of the Chinese Academy of Forestry to conduct tree improvement research.

Intended outputs for the Fir sub-project are:

Improved information at the Chinese Academy of Forestry for co-ordination of research and for promoting application for results.

Clear scientific results which take account of economic, financial and social implications.

Database of foliar analyses from Chinese fir.

Trained scientists (four in UK, plus local training of field and laboratory staff).

Results from field trials carried out with participation of local communities.

Improved analytical capacity at laboraotry of CAF Institute of Forestry.

Strategy for the formulation of a collaborative research plan and the development of an appropriate propagation technique for hybrid larch.

Review of existing information in larix hydrids.

Implementation plan for system for mass production.

Study on DNA fingerprinting, PhD level.

Dissemination of project results to wider forestry community in China.