About 29 agreements to transfer plantations to communities were finalised by Government in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
On Wednesday this week, Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), said an additional eight (8) Community Forestry Agreements, are in the pipeline, to transfer the management of Category B and C plantations to local communities.
Category B plantations are small-to -medium-sized plantations that are considered suitable for management by small to medium enterprises. While Category C plantations, or woodlots, are mainly situated in the former homelands and were previously not suitable for industrial management.
Minister George said “this initiative aligns with the key deliverables of the Forestry Master Plan and represents a significant step toward community empowerment and sector inclusivity.”
By transferring the management of these plantations, the Department aims to foster a sense of ownership among community members while providing them with opportunities to participate meaningfully in the forestry value chain.
This initiative is expected the contribute towards job creation, economic growth, and social development in rural areas, while also promoting sustainable forestry practices.
“The success of these communities in managing these plantations requires investment of the private sector whose participation and collaboration with government will strengthen and foster these relationships” said Dr George.
Training of beneficiaries is also expected to commence soon. The first intake trained some 541 people.
Environmentalists have previously raised concern about the transfer, pointing to potential conflict with natural ecosystems and the risk of unsustainable practices, if communities are not brought up to speed.
SA’s plantations make up an estimated 1,2 million hectares or 1,2% of the total land area. They are located in 5 of the country’s 9 provinces, in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo.
Picture: InvestSA