The Reforestation Value Chain for the Philippines - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 190

farms, there are no specific guidelines except that labor intensive methods are pre-
ferred. In reforestation projects designed mainly for watershed protection and reha-
bilitation no harvesting is allowed.
9.3.6 Processing
Processing of tree products is typically not included in the plans for reforestation
projects. This is especially crucial in agroforestry farms where there could be a
number of products from the farm, both wood and non-wood. Processing could
really add value to farm outputs. However, in many cases farmers do not have access
to even basic processing technology resulting to low prices for their outputs.
9.3.7 Marketing
Just like processing, marketing of forest products is typically not included in gov-
ernment reforestation programs. This may also include the building of roads. This
is understandable considering the most reforestation projects last for only three
years, much earlier than the time of harvesting which will take place ten or more years
after planting. Aside from wood products, new markets have opened up for
reforestation activities. For example, under the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol, reforestation projects in the Philippines may qualify
(Lasco and Pulhin 2001). The absence of a market strategy in most reforestation
projects in the Philippines denies farmers from capturing the true market value of
the products and services they provide.
Using the aforementioned key components of the ReV Chain it becomes clear
why many reforestation projects fail in the Philippines. In a great majority of cases,
the emphasis is given only on seedling production (but still seedlings are of doubt-
ful quality), on actual planting, and to a lesser degree on maintenance for a couple
of years. The rest of the value chain is largely ignored. For example, more emphasis
should be given on the long-term maintenance of reforested areas. Key questions
include: Who will pay for the cost of maintenance? What are the incentives for
local farmers to maintain the trees planted? In addition, marketing should also be
given more emphasis. The value of tree products could be enhanced greatly if the
farmers can take advantage of the market. In reality, it is not uncommon for farmers
to get a low price for their products (from middlemen) when the price of the com-
modity in urban centers is much higher.
In addition to the primary value adding activities described above, secondary
activities that will facilitate them are also important including human resource
development (e.g. for DENR, LGUs), institution building (e.g. local community
organizing), research and technology development, and infrastructure development.
For example, an organization like the World Agroforestry Centre/ICRAF could