Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd is urged to address ongoing challenges with landowners before pursuing forest certification, according to mahogany landowners from central Viti Levu. During a recent talanoa session with Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu at Savu Village in Tailevu, the landowners expressed their concerns about the importance of resolving these issues to enhance the international market value of their mahogany.
Kalisiana Nakelo, a former board secretary and spouse to a landowner, emphasized that forest certification would significantly increase the value of mahogany in global markets. She pointed out that many international buyers only accept logs from certified sources, limiting the opportunities for their mahogany despite its genuine quality. Nakelo indicated that resolving landowner grievances is vital for the certification process to proceed.
The Mahogany Industry Development Act aims to enhance the industry’s potential in international markets. However, Nakelo cautioned that without resolving landowner issues, certification efforts could fail. The first audit for certification has been conducted, and a second is pending, which will address these concerns through an independent international auditing company.
A holistic evaluation will consider the grievances mechanism as a critical obstacle to achieving certification. The landowners have voiced ongoing issues related to operational inclusion, occupational safety, sustainable practices, maintenance, and monitoring.
General Manager Semi Dranibaka of Fiji Hardwood Corporation mentioned that while landowners have been engaged in tree felling operations, their participation has not been consistent. Recently, the company secured a grant of $956,000 to facilitate the certification process. Minister Bainivalu, who also chairs the Mahogany Industry Council, has assured that all issues raised by landowners will be addressed in upcoming meetings.
This dialogue between the government, the corporation, and landowners highlights the critical importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable forest management and boosting economic returns from the mahogany industry. By focusing on resolving conflicts and working towards certification, there is hope for future growth and increased market opportunities for Fijian mahogany.
In summary, resolving landowner grievances is crucial before Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd can successfully attain forest certification, which would open new avenues for selling their mahogany in international markets, ultimately benefiting both the industry and the local community.
Leave a comment