Issued by: The Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs
PRETORIA 20 MAY 1996
INDIGENOUS TREE POTENTIAL FOR SOCIAL FORESTRY
Indigenous trees have great potential to provide fuelwood and associated products in rural areas. This was one of the findings of a biomass and social forestry workshop (sponsored by the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs), held in Potgietersrus from 13 to 15 May.
As presenters of the workshop the Research Institute for Reclamation Ecology (RIRE) of Potchefstroom University, shared their results obtained at a research project in the Bewaarkloof area of the Northern Province. The project consists of the experimental screening of indigenous trees and shrubs for multipurpose agroforestry application in rural areas, with the main emphasis of indigenous species suitable for fuelwood, as well as timber and wooden poles.
The emphasis on agroforestry is for sustainability of natural resources, with a strong accent on soil conservation and soil improvement, water conservation, erosion control, fuelwood, fodder and edible indigenous fruits for health and dietary concerns.
The Bewaarkloof project was implemented in November 1994 with the establishment of two nurseries, one in Bewaarkloof and one in Potchefstroom. Community preferences and technology available to the community were taken into account. The propagation is done by means of seed, truncheons and cuttings.
An interesting development has been the technique of planting the truncheons horizontally, about 10cm below the surface of the soil, just before the annual growing season starts. In this way a set of up to six stems can be produced along the length of the truncheon in three months, fulfilling the aim of multiple harvesting from a "single" tree without having to wait three years for the first resprouting after having cut the main stem. At this stage 46 species are growing well from truncheons, 53 from cuttings and 31 from seed. This method for propagating has potential and needs to be repeated on a much larger scale. It could be particularly useful for creating long hedges very quickly to keep out animals at no cost since no seeds are involved.
In her opening address, the Deputy Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs Mrs Susan Shabangu mentioned that the Bewaarkloof project is demonstrating the unique potential of growing indigenous trees. Past research has indicated that rural people have a distinct preference for local species of fuelwood, such as Acacias on account of their characteristic long-burning quality. But there is a wides- pread belief that such trees are difficult to grow or are best left to nature. According to Deputy Minister Shabangu, this project is demonstrating that these trees can be grown with a little effort and that the associated activities in the community can bring employment to the region.
FUTURE ACTION
The workshop was attended by researchers, NGO's, government departments and community representatives involved in social forestry. From discussions it became clear that the Bewaarkloof project as such has potential benefits to offer if the research findings are widely disseminated outside the research environment and implemented in community forestry projects elsewhere. It is also clear that community ownership, involvement and participation are essential for such projects to be self-sustaining in the long term at minimal cost.
Trees provide incalculable benefits if planted in the correct place for the correct purpose, and are a long term investment. In the past totally inappropriate delivery systems were imposed on communities without a thought given to their needs. But tree plant- ing activities focused on rural livelihoods and income generation, defined as "Community Development Forestry", which complements the Department of Agriculture's BATAT programme, will need to be rigorously promoted in future if the RDP is to be extended to rural development in South Africa.
In this regard a memorandum is to be presented to Cabinet on the establishment of a National Community Forestry Programme which will require substantial funding over a period of years.
ENQUIRIES: Mr Tony Golding (DMEA) 012-317-9223 Prof Johan Booysen (RIRE) 0148-297-7320