The training programme, organised in Sarawak for the first time in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, was attended by 55 participants who were mainly local entrepreneurs and representatives from several state government agencies.
Aimed to transfer technology and increase scientific knowledge of the participants to enhance their understanding as well as ensure proper management and utilisation of forest resources, the programme consisted of the following courses:
Commercial Nursery Establishment;
Landscape and Tree Management;
Herbal Technology; and
Herbal Product Development Technology.
The Seminar on Establishment and Management of Aquilaria Plantation for Gaharu, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), was officially launched by FRIM’s Deputy Director General Dato’ Dr Abdul Rashid Malik.
It was attended by 45 participants comprising local entrepreneurs, retirees, representatives from the karas industry and state government agencies. Also present were Batu Danau assemblyman YB Paulus Palu Gumbang and representatives from the Sarawak Forest Department.
The objective of the seminar was to create awareness among the government agencies and the public on the importance of ensuring the sustainable use of this valuable commodity.
Six papers presented during the seminar, and they are as follows:
Silviculture and Management of Aquilaria malaccensis for agarwood production;
Production of high quality planting materials of Aquilaria spp.;
Extraction Technology and Chemical Fingerprint Profiling of gaharu Essential oil and resins;
Known inducement techniques of gaharu
Diseases of Aquilaria malaccensis
Status of gaharu producing species in Sarawak: An overview.
Given the encouraging response and feedback from the participants, FRIM plans to organise subsequent seminars between July and October this year in Miri, Limbang and Sibu respectively.
