Smallholder production and markets of bolaina blanca Guazuma

Smallholder production and markets of bolaina blanca (Guazuma crinita) in Ucayali, Peru Jonathan P. Cornelius, L. Julio Ugarte-Guerra World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)) (ICRAF) Presented at Smallholder Timber Workshop, ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya, December 2004

The Ucayali Region, Peru Pucallpa

What is bolaina?

Bolaina supply chain in Pucallpa Smallholders’ secondary forest, fallow Source: CIFOR/CATIE, 1998 180 stems ha-1 Middlemen (extrctn, freight) 5 -6 logs stem-1 8 pieces sawntimber -1 log (2. 5 mx 10 cmx 1. 7 cm) Private consumers in Pucallpa $90 ($0. 50 stem-1) $405 ($0. 45 log-1) Sawmill / wood merchant $2, 160 ($0. 3 piece-1) Industry in Pucallpa (lollysticks, fruit packaging, matches, etc

…. now available in Lima • Door frames, 3 pieces, Peruvian S/. 39. 90 (USD 12. 00)

Bolaina plantations • Fast growth (on the right site) (Hdom=13. 7 m, 24 months) • FONDEBOSQUE is projecting large-scale production and sale of bolaina seedlings in 2005 • Incipient planting by wealthier farmers • Unrealistic projections in some quarters

• A standing tree of bolaina sells for around $0. 50 • From a standing tree, around 40 pieces can be sawn • Finished sawnwood sells for around $50/m 3 (about 200 pieces) • 40 pieces are worth around $10

• Is plantation production of bolaina a viable option for smallholder farmers? • If so, how?

Financial analyses • 4 scenarios • Costs and revenues estimated from published and unpublished sources 1 • 400 final crop trees 1 CIFOR / CATIE, 1998. Curso - taller sobre metodologías de investigación en bosques secundarios. González, L. A. 2003. Evaluación técnico-económica de plantaciones de bolaina blanca en zonas inundables del Rio Aguaytía. B. Sc. Thesis, UNALM, Lima. Ugarte-Guerra, L. J. Unpublished data

Option 1 • Block plantation at 3 m x 3 m • Weeding in first two years • Thinning after three years, to final crop density of 400 trees ha-1 • Standing sale at 6 years of age

Cash income at sale of $182 NDR@10%: -$646 ha-1

Food for thought for potential bolaina planters… • A bolaina seedling costs around $0. 30 • A six year old standing tree sells for around $0. 50

Bolaina supply chain in Pucallpa Smallholders’ secondary forest, fallow $90 ($0. 50 stem-1) 180 stems ha-1 Middlemen (extrctn, frght) 5 -6 logs stem-1 8 pieces sawntimber -1 log (2. 5 mx 10 cmx 1. 7 cm) Private consumers in Pucallpa $405 ($0. 45 log-1) Sawmill / wood merchant $2, 200 ($0. 3 piece-1) Industry in Pucallpa (lollysticks, fruit packaging, matches, etc

Option 2 • • Farmer fells, crosscuts trees himself Pays for transport of 2. 5 m logs to river port Average of five 2. 5 m logs tree-1 Logs sold at $0. 30 (<20 cm) or $0. 45 (>20 cm)

Cash income at sale of $770 NDR@10%: -$686 ha-1

Option 3 • Farmer pays for sawmill service, producing average of 8. 6 unfinished pieces (2. 5 m x 10 cm x 1. 7 cm) per log • Pays for transport to Pucallpa • Sells pieces at $0. 15 each