SANDAKAN: The Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and the Sawit Kinabalu Group have announced their collaboration on the establishment of a Forest Seed Garden (FSG) at the Sg. Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA) in Kinabatangan.
This partnership aims to develop an agroforestry model incorporating timber plantation trees, with a focus on sustainable forestry practices and biodiversity conservation.
The handing over of the Letter of Intent for this project was held at the Forestry Headquarters in Sandakan on 7th April, 2025.
The initial phase of the project will involve research to evaluate cost efficiency and optimal plantation practices, including fertiliser treatments and mulching methods for enhancing timber growth.
The study will provide valuable insights into the viability of agroforestry systems for timber production in Sabah.
Under SFD, research work will be undertaken by the Forest Plantation Programme of the Forest Research Centre, while for Sawit Kinabalu, it will be carried out by the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit.
This is an exciting endeavour and an important project, as the two parties start to work towards the goal of establishing a sustainable model that can be replicated.
Work on the project is already underway, with a total of six plots established as part of the initial phase.
Later this year, both parties plan to hold an in-house workshop to discuss progress and begin planning for the next phase of the project in 2026.
It is hoped that the research will not only contribute to a deeper understanding of agroforestry systems but also highlight the financial potential of such initiatives.
They aim to create a scalable model that can be scaled and serve as a blueprint for other organisations seeking to implement similar sustainable practices in the future.
