The Ministry of Forestry has initiated investments in research to explore the integration of sandalwood into agroforestry systems within Fiji’s plantations. Minister for Forestry Alitia Bainivalu highlighted the growing demand for sandalwood, particularly in the Asian market.
The government has consistently supported sandalwood development through a capital project, investing $1 million over the past decade to rejuvenate the sandalwood industry nationwide. Bainivalu emphasized the ministry’s commitment to enhancing policy and regulatory frameworks to facilitate sustainable management and encourage replanting efforts to foster a long-term high-value industry.
Bainivalu reported an increasing interest in cultivating sandalwood over the last ten years due to its significant market value and favorable long-term demand projections. As part of this initiative, over 132 hectares have been planted with more than 58,000 sandalwood trees, including 31.4 hectares cultivated using an agroforestry system alongside other timber and fruit trees. Sandalwood is now widely cultivated across various villages and inhabited islands in Fiji.
Looking ahead, the ministry anticipates harvesting approximately 106 tonnes of sandalwood over the next five years, predicting an export value of around $10 million. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Sandalwood Development Project received an investment of $100,000, primarily allocated for consulting growers in the Central, Western, and Northern divisions.
The primary goal is to establish a Sandalwood Growers Association to safeguard the interests of farmers. Additionally, inventory assessments of sandalwood have been conducted, and demonstration plots utilizing the agroforestry method have been set up.