FORDA (Bogor, 2/25/13)_Currently, timber plantation is a favorite business for community. Various methods or researches have been done to improve timber crops. One alternative is to develop fast-growing trees, such as sengon, binuang, jabon and others.

"Jabon is one of the promising trees," says Dr. Titiek Setyawati, while moderating scientific discussions in Sudiarto Room, FORDA Campus on Friday (22/02) in Bogor.

Speaking in the scientific discussion, Ir. Atok Subiakto, M.Sc. explained Fast Growing Timber Business. Currently, the enthusiasm of people to plant jabon is increasing rapidly. This is because a growing assumption that jabon is easy to plant, can be grown anywhere, grows faster and high timber prices. "But is it always true?," said Atok, began his presentation.

Land Suitability Aspect

"The first thing that must be considered in planting jabon is land suitability," said Atok. The suitability of soil minerals can be determined by planting test during the rainy season. If within 3 months, jabon’s growth did not reach 1 meter, it can be said that the land is not suitable for jabon.

Meanwhile, FORDA has not given recommendations for planting jabon in peatland. The result showed that the growth of jabon on peatlands after 2 years is indicated to decrease. In addition, treatment of peatlands also requires extra costs, because of the need to regulate the water channel.

The important aspects in determining the planting land are the height of the land - it must be no more than 500m above sea level; the rainfall - above 2700 mm/year with dry months <3 months. Mild to moderate soil texture (sand fraction dominant), open land (full of light), and more profitable when there is a watershed in the surrounding area.

Breeding Aspect

"The second aspect is the process of breeding. The sowing stage until ready to plant is the most vulnerable stage, "said Atok. This stage usually takes about 3 months. In this stage there are many problems or obstacles or even failure to produce a good seed or seedling. Therefore, this stage needs accuracy and patience.

Humidity and Pests and Diseases Aspects

"The third aspect is drought and diseases," he said. Jabon is very sensitive to planting site and drought. These plants require high humidity, but not on a swamped land. In addition, during the dry season, crop pests frequently attack jabon. Therefore, this season needs a little extra care.

Economics Aspects

The planting cost of jabon is relatively lower than any other fast-growing trees. The cost of planting and maintenance for 2 years is only around Rp 10 million per hectare. The costs will be higher if the land used is a leased land.

Jabon trees can be harvested at the age of >6 years. With 600 trees per acre, the tree can reach a diameter of > 30 cm and the average timber volume per tree of 0.38 m³. If the price of jabon timber is Rp. 600.000,-/m³, the result that can be obtained is Rp 136 million per hectare. The profit gained from the sale of the wood is certainly very tempting.

Nevertheless, there is no specific standard of the price. "There is no fixed price of jabon timber," said Atok. The above calculation of profit is based on the reference from the Directorate of Forestry Enterprises Development, Ministry of Forestry, in which the company (PT Intraca, Tarakan, East Kalimantan) as harvesters and communities as farmers.

Timber Plantation Business Approach

In determining the appropriate species for plantation timber, there are two approaches, namely naturalists and experimentalists. Naturalism approach is to compare the ecological habitat of targeted species to ecological planting site. If it is suitable the plant can grow but probably not optimal.

While experimentalists approach is to test several targeted species on the prospective planting site. The selection of suitable species is based on growth data. The species with highest growth data can grow optimally.

Based on the above explanation, the strategy that should be applied for successful planting is an appropriate site, appropriate species, appropriate time, healthy seedlings, proper planting patterns and procedures, and if necessary, plant density should be reduced and periodic pests control.

At the end of his presentation, Atok said that jabon is only one alternative of fast-growing timber species. There are many other fast growing species (harvested at the age of 6-8 years) such as sengon, samama, duabanga, binuang, ampupu, nyawai, and gempor. However, we must be careful in choosing invasive tree species, such as Acacia, especially if it is planted in large numbers at a location adjacent to conservation forest.

In the discussion which was attended by about 70 researchers, extension workers and lecturers under the scope of the Ministry of Forestry, the material of Jabon Agroforestry is also presented: Potentials and Combination of Species by Dr. Murniati. In this presentation, it was explained that jabon can be grown together with crops, provided there is a match between the two species. (THS)***

Download File: Jabon Timber Plantation