Pilot Plantations for Quick-Growing Industrial Tree Species in Malaysia

The tropical rain forests of Malaysia cover over 75% of its land area and produce timbers which rank third in the country's list of foreign exchange earners. They contain, however, mainly hardwood species (short-fibred), managed on a 70-year rotation, which are not suitable for the new forest industries being proposed as part of the country's over-all programme to diversify its industrial base. One of the industries considered most desirable is paper and pulp manufacturing. At present, all of the country's requirements for paper and allied products must be met by imports. As population, literary rates and economic status increase, the need for these materials is expected to go up even more steeply. To meet this demand the Government of Malaysia, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as Executing Agency, is carrying out experi mental planting in various locations as a guide to subsequent development of large plantations. In addition, the facilities at the Forestry Research Institute at Kepong are being strengthened and forestry staff are being trained to handle the new species.
Researchers on the Pilot Plantation of the Forestry Research Institute near Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia examine an experimental bed of Seraya (Shorea Curtisii) and note their findings.