Table 5 Summary of major gaps and the

Table 5. Summary of major gaps and the respective proposed improvement measures Gaps/constraints 1. Silvicultural issues Poor seed and seedling quality Lack of timely seed supply Inadequate site preparation Narrow Spacing Poor planting technique Poor post planting management high dependence on single tree species In adequate coppice management 2. Economic issues In adequate value addition Poor marketing system Limited expansion of forest industries 3. Environmental issues Discourage under growth Competition and shading on crop land Adverse effect on natural resources Lack of knowledge on mixed plantation. 4. Institutional Issues Insufficient extension and land administration service Inadequate institutional and policy support Lack of skills and knowledge of experts at various level Proposed measures Using selected seed sources and Improved seedling production technique Provide the required amount of seed on time Timely and adequate site preparation Use wider and appropriate spacing suitable to the objective of the plantation Using standard planting procedures (time of planting, pit size, removing poly bags during planting) Carryout adequate weeding, cultivation and Protection of plantations Introduce alternate and high value indigenous timber spp. and MPTS Adopt appropriate harvesting technique Improved small scale wood processing and Product diversification Provision of market information and strengthen market linkages Promote expansion of different forest product base industries Use of wider spacing, use thinning, pruning etc Buffer planting and Introduce minimum distance from crop field Leaving leaves and bark on site and Use wider spacing Use mixed plantation. Install better extension service system and implement proper land use plan at local level and certify to legal land owner Set clear objectives and management plans for plantations, Development of bylaws and training and Enhance monitoring and evaluation system Provision of consecutive capacity building Wubalem Tadesse et al. Plantation Forests in Amhara Region: Challenges and Best Measures for Future Improvements. World Journal of Agricultural Research, 2019, Vol. 7, No. 4, 149 -157. doi: 10. 12691/wjar-7 -4 -5 © The Author(s) 2019. Published by Science and Education Publishing.