The plywood industry is in complete messy state just because of timber scarcity. The gravity of timber unavailability with this deep pain was never felt before. More so because the consumption was never so huge. Analysing the need and data trend, the timber shortage is almost with a gap of 60% of what is being presently needed/consumed or desired.
The scenario is bad because industry and farmers never collaborated in cohesive manner. Associations and institutions always talked but significant working started only very recently, that too by a handful of organised players. But will it solve the burning issue? There have been plenty of seminars, webinars, meetings, talks and voices for government support but on the ground the activities are far lesser than need. Is it not already late when it comes to plantation?
Of course, so What is the solutions then?
There are simple understanding and action point that is needed to be adopted by every plywood and panel production industry.
- Are you (industry) aware about the clone/sapling/specie suitable for your geographical (soil) area?
- Do you know, how many nurseries are there nearby? And how many plants (saplings) are ordered/facilitated/assisted for the local farmer group by you ever?
- If there is no nursery in vicinity, are you helping to make one? Or doing any effort, supporting any group to create one?
- How many plantation saplings your industry has distributed, or facilitated in your region during in last 15/10/5/specially in last 3 years?
- Do you have a team of 2 people led by an agriculture graduate with you to make the farmer understand about soil, sapling/specie andright method of planting according to weather and the growth period cycle?
- Are you (industry) explaining practically on the “ROI on the plantation, a farmer is going to make (with an assurance to buy back on a particular MSP, in worst case scenario)?
- Finally ASK YOURSELF - the TOTAL land area or no of plants facilitated or extended support by you and hence how many trees a farmer will offer with the time cycle plan?
The above simplified points are just a way to explain to wood panel industries who are crying & voicing their problems but are not acting enough. The above points are simple steps to start being active.
I am very sure of one thing, immediate action by every small factory is equally valuable and important for the survival of the units, everywhere. Today it is north, tomorrow it will be south India, and day after it can be any region. So wake up, wake up now.
TALK LESS, ACT MORE, DONATE for a NURSERY, then to other cause. Support the plantation to support your industry. WAKE UP SID*, JUST WAKE UP NOW (*entire small, medium, big wood industry)
THANKING YOU ALL, Have a prosperous FY23-24.
Pragat Dvivedi
Founder Editor
Mail to “dpragat@gmail.com”, ( M) 9310612991.