Guyana’s forestry sector is expected to see expanded growth in 2024, with production targeted at 500,000 m3. This was confirmed with Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat who noted that the forestry sector also expanded by 6.1 percent for 2023, with production at approximately 470, 000 m3.
Having completed the Forest Inventory in 2023, Minister Bharrat said it is expected that final validation and publication will be completed by the end of the first quarter of this year.
Also in 2024, Minister Bharrat said two large scale investments totaling 250,000 hectares will be converted for expanded production and value added works. He said several investors have already indicated their intention to expand capacity for kiln dried wood in 2024 with approximately 300,000 more board feet of kiln dried wood to be produced in 2024.
In an effort to strengthen the policy framework for the forestry industry, Minster Bharrat said the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has committed in 2024 to review and revise its Forest Policy and Plan 2018. Guyana Standard understands that GFC has developed a multi-year project that allows for the continuous improvement of the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS). As previously reported, the MRSV is used to monitor deforestation and forest carbon change in Guyana and enable access to payments for forest conservation which will progress into Phase Three in 2024. GFC is expected to complete all steps necessary and have a National Standard for Forest Certification completed and endorsed by the Standard Body in 2024.
With respect to the Guyana Forestry Training Centre, he noted that it is the only practical oriented forest management training institution in Guyana and one of three which exists within South America. The others exist in Brazil and Peru. Minister Bharrat said, “The Centre is projected to train over 250 personnel drawn from the sector in various forest base programs. In 2024, there will be an increase in monitoring activities by establishing two new outposts at Linden and Ituni while resources will be allocated to the Forest Monitoring Division to boost its capacity with personnel and vehicles.”
Furthermore, the minister said GFC will support companies pursuing value added activities such as the prefab housing project, premium mulch and nutrient compost from wood waste and charcoal production that is community based.
This news agency understands that Bharrat’s ministry will collaborate with these companies to promote their products on the local and international market. This will increase the need for local raw materials and also expand the species utilization.
