Quicker profits from fast-growing trees
Yes, money really does grow on trees
PLANTING a tree is an age-old undertaking meaningfully viewed as a must for any person envisioning a life fully lived. Actually, to plant one that can grow faster than the usual will truly help provide a life worth living by way of profit earned quicker.
Three-year old Falcata clone trees
While source of income tree species like falcata normally take a decade to achieve maturity, Misamis Oriental-based company Claveria Tree Nursery Inc. (CTNI) offers fast-growing seedlings that take just six to seven years to become fully grown.
Business insiders claim there is a strong demand and a stable market among many factories in Mindanao that use softwood species, especially falcata, in the manufacture of plywood and paper.
CTNI general manager Roberto Tagle pointed out, “Fast-growing falcata trees have a shorter rotation cycle which means earlier harvest and faster returns on investment.“
According to a study, a farmer can earn at least P2,000 from a full-grown falcata tree. Falcata, tagged as a nitrogen-fixing tree which improves a site’s soil condition, is said to be best if grown in planting sites where average rainfall is high, elevation areas low enough or around 600 meters above sea level, and the soil is moderately deep.
Tagle explained, “Using fast-growing seedlings coupled with good silvicultural practices will shorten the rotation period to six to seven years with an estimated volume of 400 cubic meters yield per hectare. At mill gate price of P4,000 per cu.m., this translates to about P1.6M gross income.”
He added that minus the costs of administrative overhead, harvesting, and other miscellaneous expenditures, a net income of at least P1M per hectare can be generated.
Established in 2006, CTNI is the country’s first company to engage in the mass production and commercial distribution of clone seedlings from superior trees of fast-growing species. Aside from falcata, CTNI also clones and sells other commercial tree species such as bagras, gmelina and acacia mangium. It is a subsidiary of RI Chemical Corporation that aims to improve the lot of tree growers and help sustain the supply of better quality wood.
Tagle related, “Clones that grow into trees will develop more uniformly, with similar height, diameter and trunk features. This will translate into bigger volume in less time and better-quality wood that commands higher price in the market.”
For Secretary of Agriculture Manny Piñol, tree farming is now officially an agricultural activity just like planting cacao. “It is now spreading like wildfire all over the country as farmers realize how much money they would make by planting trees,” the former journalist turned public servant turned agriculture advocate said in an article.
Tree farming is the new program of the Department of Agriculture in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision
of green and sustainable agriculture.
The chief executive who famously hails from Mindanao said, “Our forests and watersheds must be protected if we dream of sustainable agriculture. Cut those trees and you will kill the future generation.”
Along with its profitability, fast-growing clone trees contribute to addressing climate change with its efficient way of taking in carbon monoxide.
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