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How new preferences are affecting forestry sub-sector
A technician fixes electricity cables on a concrete pole. A shift to concrete poles in electricity distribution and the use of iron bars for roofing instead of forest-based products is dealing a heavy blow on farmers and timber traders, according to a new report. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The value of forest products has witnessed a notable decline of 8.2 percent in 2023, as the energy and construction sectors shift towards alternative materials
Dar es Salaam. A shift to concrete poles in electricity distribution and the use of iron bars for roofing instead of forest-based products is dealing a heavy blow on farmers and timber traders, a new report has shown.
The value of forest products has witnessed a notable decline of 8.2 percent in 2023, as the energy and construction sectors shift towards alternative materials, reducing reliance on traditional forest-based products.
Timber and poles, which once dominated the market, accounted for 71.2 percent of the total value of forest products.
However, this decrease in value has been felt across all zones, with the exception of the southeastern and lake zones. This shift is largely attributed to the increasing use of alternative materials, such as iron bars for roofing and concrete poles replacing timber for electricity infrastructure.
The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) recently published a Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance report for the quarter ending in September last year, revealing that the total value of forest products traded had fallen to Sh252.8 billion, down from the same quarter in 2022.
The report highlighted that the southeastern zone saw an increase in forest product demand, while the lake zone benefited from a surplus of products, a result of forest clearance for road construction.
The southern highlands zone, meanwhile, continued to hold the largest share of the total value of forest products at 95.8 percent.
Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) acting communication and corporate affairs director Irene Gowelle said the company has been increasingly using concrete poles in its electricity transmission and distribution projects. This shift is aimed at enhancing the reliability of the electricity supply, as concrete poles are more durable than their wooden counterparts, with lifespans ranging from 80 to 100 years, compared to just 7 to 15 years for wooden poles.
However, Ms Gowelle said the use of wooden poles has not been entirely phased out.
“They are still used, particularly in household electricity distribution, where they serve low-voltage power lines to connect customers to the grid.”
The shift towards concrete poles also serves to reduce the environmental impact of deforestation, as wooden poles have contributed significantly to ecological damage. Tanesco’s focus on concrete poles aligns with a commitment to environmental sustainability by limiting further harm to the ecosystem.
Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) licence manager Elia Mndeme noted that the government has drawn up a ten-year action plan starting from 2021, aimed at promoting industries that add value to forestry products within the country.
This initiative encourages the production of value-added products such as plywood, fibreboards, particle boards, and marine boards, which are more lucrative on international markets compared to raw forest materials.
“As a result, communities still have opportunities to supply raw materials to these industries, many of which are already operational and focused on producing Engineered Wood Products,” Ms Mndeme said.
This shift towards value-added forest products is expected to benefit both local industries and the environment, as it offers sustainable alternatives to raw material exports while creating jobs and improving economic opportunities in the forestry sector.
