VALIDATION AND COMPLETION REPORT This report provides a summary of project achievements presented according to CARD protocols and final recommendations to ensure ongoing development of r
Trang 1
CARD Project Report
027/06/VIE
MS9+MS10: VALIDATION AND COMPLETION
REPORT
by Peter Vinden, Philip Blackwell and Phan Duc Chien
August 2010
Trang 2VALIDATION AND COMPLETION REPORT 5
OBJECTIVES 5
Objective 1 Identify and define industry problems, needs and opportunities through a comprehensive survey and review the rural sawmilling industry .5
Objective 2 Establish a facility for training and technology development 5
Objective 3 Develop and conduct training programs to improve operator sawmilling and business skills for trainers and for mill operators 6
Objective 4 Investigate demonstrate and recommend more appropriate or alternative technologies to improve industry performance .6
Objective 5 Develop long-term strategies for industry development 7
Sustainability of project outcomes at institutional and operational levels 7
OUTPUTS 8
Extent to which project outputs and performance measures have been achieved 8
Impact of project outcomes on target beneficiaries 11
Sustainability and coverage of benefits 12
ACTIVITIES : Detailed completion of activities 13
Justification for non completed activities 14
Quality of activity achievements 15
OBJECTIVE 1 15
OBJECTIVE 2 15
OBJECTIVE 3 16
OBJECTIVE 4 17
OBJECTIVE 5 17
INPUTS 17
1 Policy Considerations: 19
THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL FOREST INDUSTRIES IN VIETNAM 19
Abstract 19
Background 19
The role of the National Forest Service 21
Trang 3The conservation of tropical rain forests and native habitats 22
The establishment of “New Forests” to meet the needs and bridge the divide between city dwellers and rural settlers 22
Consolidating supply of raw materials 23
Consolidating domestic demand for wood products 24
Research 24
Education and training in forestry, wood science, timber engineering and furniture .26
Research training and education focus .26
Strategies to Assist Rural Sawmill Development in Vietnam .27
2 Appendix: 32
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF “NEW FORESTS” IN VIETNAM 32
Summary 32
Background .32
New Forests 33
3 Appendix: 37
FOREST INDUSTRIES 37
2.1 Energy required for processing 38
2.2 The link between trees, wood and architecture 40
2.3 The popularity of forestry and foresters 40
2.4 Conclusions 41
4 Appendix: 42
FOREST INDUSTRIES RESEARCH 42
Background 42
Research program 42
Program 1 INNOVATION 44
Carbon positive design (CPD); 44
Design for recycling, reuse and reassembly 44
Design durability 44
Program 2 FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE 45
Biochemical pathways for lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis 45
Lignocellulose fibre composition 45
Lignocellulose interactions 45
Trang 4Chemical and physical modification of wood fibre 45
Program 3: NOVEL TECHNOLOGIES 46
Low temperature fast pyrolysis 46
Modification of bark and in situ tannin fixation to provide a physical and chemical sieve for waste capture of proteins, heavy metals and oil for recycling .46
Microwave modification of biomass 46
Plant-fibre polymer composites 46
Sawmilling, drying and preservation and furniture manufacture .47
Program 4 Education and knowledge transfer 47
PhD student research projects 48
Masters course work programs 48
Software aids in Design 48
Policy development programs incorporating Carbon Positive Design 48
Patent protection of innovative technologies 49
Potential research partners 49
Potential End user organizations 49
5 Appendix: 50
CONSOLIDATING TRAINING AND EDUCATION 50
4.1 Training requirements 50
Survey of industry attitudes to training 50
4.2 Training Program Structure 52
6 Appendix: 53
RURAL SAWMILL DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM 53
Conclusions 58
Trang 5VALIDATION AND COMPLETION REPORT
This report provides a summary of project achievements presented according to CARD protocols and final recommendations to ensure ongoing development of rural forest industries in Vietnam.
The survey was conducted in the form of a participatory rural appraisal (PRA). Individual mills were visited and the following types of information sought from owners: log volume input, sawn wood output and grades, price and cost data, end‐use markets, equipment used, employee statistics, problems identified by owners, and owner’s views on development needs of industry.
A complementary survey was also undertaken to include plantation growers to assess their views on markets and prices and sawn timber buyers to assess their views on sawn wood products purchased. The results were collated and a detailed report published. The findings were supplemented by a separate report outlining the current state of development of forestry and the forest industries in Vietnam, their contribution to the economy and rural development and potential to grow in the future. These reports were used as background to developing more detailed reports on individual sectors of the industry including sawmilling, wood drying, preservation, forest industries education and training, research and extension. Each of these reports has been completed.
Objective 2 Establish a facility for training and technology development
Although this project did not directly establish a training facility, it has been instrumental in the training of Vietnamese researchers and trainers in Wood Science and Sawmilling. These people have used this training in the education of sawmillers and students as part of the extension work
or training activities. The Lucas portable sawmill will further be used in the development of training programs to teach on the quality advantages of quarter‐sawn timber over the conventional flat sawn method.
The Vocational School for Agriculture and Rural Development in Central Vietnam has undertaken the training and is now using the material with their students. The training facility in
Trang 6This extension program will continue as the researchers who have been trained are used in workshops and as a resource for forest growers and farmers.
The establishment of a facility was extensively discussed within the project team and the recommendation was that a stand alone facility would be expensive to establish and run plus have limited number of people who would use the facility therefore the training of trainers was considered to be more beneficial and fit the project budget.
Objective 3 Develop and conduct training programs to improve operator sawmilling and business skills for trainers and for mill operators
Structured programs of sawmill training for rural communities were developed based on the needs analysis identified in the survey of rural sawmills. The focus for this training was technical rather than training in business skills, since it was anticipated that this was the area of greatest need. However, participants have identified a need for training in business skills and this has been addressed in detailed curriculum developed for future courses. Course materials in the form of Technical Notes and overheads were developed for these courses. A “train the trainer” course was held in Australia for Vietnamese participants and again in Vietnam. Four sessions of rural training have been completed successfully by the CARD project and feed‐back obtained from course participants.
Objective 4 Investigate demonstrate and recommend more appropriate or alternative technologies to improve industry performance
Detailed reports on each sector of the forest industries have been completed and recommendations made in relation to the suitability of alternative technologies to improve industry performance. Separate reports are provided on sawmilling, drying and preservation. The central question is whether the small horizontal band saw and vertical band‐saw can be replaced with more automated facilities to provide centralised processing. There is a chasm between the costs and operational needs of these small sawmills versus the next level of sophistication; an investment of $4,000 for the current rural sawmill versus 1‐2 million for the cheapest level of automated sawmill (for example the HEW sawmill). Automation brings with it the need for continuously available wood raw material of high quality, and a substantial improvement in worker productivity albeit at the expense of jobs. Value adding and expanding the utility of wood through preservation and correct drying using appropriate technologies are recommended instead of focusing on the replacement of small rural sawmills. The small rural sawmill provides infinite flexibility in providing primary conversion of the log. None‐the‐less substantial improvements in the operation of small rural mills can be achieved through a program of sawmill improvement. This report summarises recommendations from individual industry sectors in recommending specific technologies that can improve the long term viability
of the industry.
Trang 7Objective 5 Develop long-term strategies for industry development
There has been an acceleration in the establishment of fast growing plantations of mostly Australian species (acacia’s and eucalypts). This has had very desirable impacts in reducing the exploitation of native forests. A very substantial rural sawmilling industry has developed based
on this raw material that has had a significant impact on rural prosperity and the alleviation of poverty. At the same time the industry has met a growing need for construction and furniture timbers in the domestic market. However, the almost exponential proliferation of small inefficient mills using low quality roundwood with scant regard for quality or the technological needs of end‐using industries such as furniture has resulted in substantial over capacity, market uncertainties and haphazard raw material supply. There are currently very limited means for researching and establishing new technology or upgrading the skills of the work force.
Detailed analysis of the sector provides a clear picture of an industry at a cross‐road that will either see a substantial decline in its fortunes or (depending on Government policy) and the future role of the Vietnam Forest Service, a substantial expansion in activity, particularly in value adding in domestic furniture and construction, with employment and prosperity for the rural sector.
Long‐term strategies are developed in this report to improve productivity of rural sawmilling through new technologies that are relevant to expanding value adding. Analysis of the sector identifies its importance and the need for long term policies directed towards improving the availability and quality of plantation grown logs specifically for the rural sector. Training, education, research and extension cannot be looked at in isolation. Similarly long term forest operations relating to maintaining biodiversity, conservation of rare and endangered species, reclamation of degraded land improving water quality and the provision of recreational areas and conservation of areas of historical significance etc, should not substitute or diminish responsibility for integrating areas of production forests that can in the future maintain the viability of rural areas and provide rural industries of the future. Thus the long term strategy adopted in this report unashamedly recommends the involvement of Government and the Vietnam Forest Service as an active player in the production of commercial plantations specifically to meet the needs of rural industries. There will be counter arguments that production forests are not a public utility and as such should not be a government activity, that
it should be left to the private sector. For Vietnam’s rural poor such an argument is hardly relevant. The strategy developed in this report is for the development of “New Forests”, forests that are grown as close as possible to large cities to meet a multiple of objectives; to provide an interface between the urban dweller and rural poor. Research investment into forest industries
is expanded to focus on best international practice and global issues such as greenhouse and the role that forest industries can play in reducing the carbon foot print through substituting the use
of non‐renewable resources such as steel and oil, whilst at the same time providing the infrastructure needed to assist the adoption of new technologies by the rural sector.
Sustainability of project outcomes at institutional and operational levels
The Vietnam Forest Service is the logical institution that should be given long‐term carriage of the aims of improving operator skills and technology in small rural sawmills in Vietnam. Recommendations are provided in this report for the expansion and reorganisation of Forest
Trang 8Service activities to service these needs, through the provision of training programs, research and extension. The recommendations are fairly radical in nature primarily because current servicing of the rural sector is almost completely absent. The infrastructure (trained personnel and equipment) needed for servicing the sector is also almost non‐existent. The CARD project has been successful in identifying how important the rural industry is and will become in meeting domestic needs for furniture and construction and the future prosperity of the rural sector. The CARD project has provided a framework for research, education, training and extension as well as much of the resources (technical notes and overheads) needed to provide ongoing training. The sustainability of future outcomes in this sector will depend on how successfully the Forest Service can realign its objectives in relation to the rural sector and how effective it is marshalling new resources to expand and train the workforce needed
OUTPUTS
Extent to which project outputs and performance measures have been achieved
All outputs, milestones and deliverables as defined in the original proposal have been achieved and are highlighted in table 1.Delays were experienced in meeting most of the completion dates. This arose primarily as a result of delays from the University of Melbourne in signing the original agreement. This resulted in unplanned re‐sequencing of activities. The unfortunate and untimely death of John Fryer who championed the project also left an enormous operational gap for the project. John was responsible for managing project logistics and activities in Vietnam. Philip Blackwell was appointed as a volunteer replacement for John Fryer and has been located within the Vietnam Forest Service (Hanoi). This filled the gap experienced in managing project activities. Further delays arose from unanticipated internal changes and reorganisation within the University of Melbourne affecting the availability of staff
The objective of installing a horizontal bandsaw was changed instead to a vertical bandsaw following a review of the efficiency of the relative technologies in sawing small logs. An internet repository of all technical reports relating to the CARD project was established to assist transfer and review of documents between Australia and Vietnam. It was decided that making the internet connection available publically should wait until:
• All documents had been translated into Vietnamese
• CARD had approved and accepted each of the documents
• Future responsibility for on going extension following completion of the CARD project had been finalised. This activity is discussed below.
Trang 9Table 1 Milestones and Deliverables
Output
Milestones
Milestone description Deliverables: comments
and project completion report
Four reports, accepted by AusAID
3, 6 monthly reports and 1 completion report completed
completed
Formation of the project Steering Committee
Steering Committee established; questionnaire designed and survey operations designed.
completed
Baseline Survey undertaken in South, Central and North Vietnam
Draft report completed completed Output1.
Meeting of stakeholders to finalise recommendations and review objectives.
Survey report completed and recommendations finalised
Portable mill operational Changed design of
mill to focus on Lucas sawmill rather than horizontal band saw
Electronic web page designed for cluster groups
Web page operational Confidential web‐
page to hold all technical reports completed.
Block training courses and dates defined and advertised
to target audience.
Brochures completed and disseminated
completed
Output 2.
Meeting of stakeholders to review progress and objectives.
Report including recommendations for further conduct of project
Trang 10Objective 3: Develop training programs to improve saw‐milling and business skills for trainers and for mill operators
Output 3 Block training courses for
trainers defined and held
in Australia.
Block training courses for trainers in Australia completed and evaluated. Training handbook for trainers drafted.
Completed. Handbook providing Technical notes and overheads
Output 4. Block training courses for
trainers held in Vietnam
Block training courses for trainers completed in Vietnam and evaluated.
Training handbook for trainers drafted.
completed
completed
Output 6. First training course for
saw millers in Vietnam
Course conducted and evaluated, evaluation report
recommendations for further training directions
Detailed recommendations completed in final Validation and completion report.
Meeting to be held with stakeholders once translation is completed
Objective 4: investigate, demonstrate and recommend on more appropriate or alternative technologies to improve industry performance.
Output 9.
Evaluate techniques for improving the performance of Vietnamese manufactured horizontal band saws.
Portable saw mill modified & tested.
Technical report completed
Vertical bandsaw substituted for horizontal bandsaw Output 10.
Determine optimum drying parameters for key plantation species.
Technical report completed
completed
Output 11.
Establish housekeeping protocols for reducing fungal degrade logs and sawn timber.
Technical report completed
completed
Output 12.
Review technologies and need for preservative treatment
Technical report completed
completed Output 13.
Compare technology needs for central versus decentralised sawmilling.
Technical report completed
completed
Trang 11completed
Output 15. Identify domestic market
requirements for sawn timber (sizes grades), evaluate quality
Technical report completed
completed
Output 16. Identify future technology and
training needs
Technical report completed
completed Output 17. seminar with stake holders;
review findings and draft final report to AusAID and recommendations to MARD
Draft report completed
Draft report completed. Seminar / Workshop to consider project findings and reports be held at a report handing over ceremony.
Impact of project outcomes on target beneficiaries
The rural sawmill survey report together with the report reviewing the current and future prospects for forest industries in Vietnam highlight the very significant importance of this industry to the economy of Vietnam and future well being of rural populations. Prior to undertaking the survey there was very little information available on rural sawmilling. Analysis
of the survey and it reporting has articulated a clear picture of the state of the industry, its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and a vision for how the industry can develop
in the future.
The CARD project has trained a core team of Vietnamese scientists in the technologies (current and future) that will assist the industry to develop. Visits to these industries during the conduct
of the survey has provided an audit of their operations (as might be undertaken during a sawmill improvement program). The opportunity for providing advice on improving the operational efficiency of the sawmill, drying or treatment facility was taken together with on‐site training of Vietnam researchers in the application of sawmill improvement programs.
Vietnamese research staff attended an intensive training program at the School of Forest and Ecosystem Science, Creswick campus, Australia and learned about the hands on operation of sawmills and the alleviation of growth stresses; the efficient operation of kilns and treatment plant, quality control monitoring of finished products, value added manufacturing and new low tech technologies to assist expansion of sawmilling operations into value adding. The same Vietnamese staffs participated in the development of training courses and have actively participated in the training of rural communities in Vietnam in these aspects of wood technology.
Detailed analysis of specific sectors (sawmilling, drying and preservation) has highlighted the technical needs of these sectors, the technology options available and the cost / benefits of adopting particular technologies. Very specific recommendations have been provided in each of
Trang 12these sectors as to the best technical and economic (low risk) options available for expanding into value adding.
The haphazard and exponential proliferation of small sawmills has identified the potential for this industry to be self starting and sustainable with appropriate technologies and local investment. However, the survey also identifies the fragility of self help initiatives that are dependent on continuing raw material supplies (albeit of low quality) and the scant availability
of knowledge and technical skills needed to value‐add sawn timber output. Clear policy decisions and action is needed to ensure continuing raw material supply of improved quality, together with appropriate training and the availability of appropriate technologies for value adding that can be taken up through the same process of self help. At the same time training needs to be provided that will upgrade skills and awareness of OH&S issues.
Training materials and infrastructure have been developed and tailored to the requirements identified in the survey. Implementation of policy recommendations from the reports will have a major impact on the long term development of the industry and future development of rural communities.
The most significant outcome of the project is that rural communities have articulated their perception of the future needs of their sector, their aspirations and fears for the future as well
as their vision of what potentially could develop in terms of expanding their activity. To a greater extent the sawmilling community has articulated optimism in the light of opportunities that are available in developing products and markets.
The project has provided the Forest Service with a blue print or plan that is relatively low risk in its implementation, but which recognises what has been achieved by the rural community in low tech processing of plantation logs and builds on this through a “New Forests” strategy and an innovative program of research, training education and out‐reach.
Sustainability and coverage of benefits
The rural sawmilling industry and has grown exponentially over the last 10 years utilising resources that have been self generated by rural peoples throughout Vietnam. It is an incredible success story of international proportions where the right (home developed) technology, available at an affordable price has coincided with the availability of affordable raw material and markets. The opportunity now exits for the government to provide a helping hand
to reduce the risks associated with taking on a logical evolutionary role in moving to value adding, not through a process of financial handouts (local communities have demonstrated an ability for self help) but simply through providing security in raw material availability, together with continuation of the training, education research and extension started by the CARD project,
to provide skills, infrastructure and appropriate technologies that will meet the aspirations of the many mills wanting to take this next step.
Rural forest industries are very vulnerable to policy changes. Future development of the industry needs to be underpinned or championed by a single government department , in this case most appropriately the Vietnam Forest Service. A logical step in providing long term security of raw material supply is the adoption of a “New Forest” policy (outlined in this report).
Trang 13Adoption of such a policy will not only benefit the rural poor (by providing employment and raw material), but also the city dwellers who in the future economic prosperity of Vietnam will be looking for “green” areas of recreation close to the city. Thus the potential coverage of benefits will embrace not only the rural population of Vietnam but also city dwellers that aspire to enjoying green areas within train distance from major cities.
Adoption of the recommendations in this report will need major policy initiatives focussed on the Vietnam Forest Service. Very clearly the adoption of such broad reaching policy changes needs very clear articulation of the findings this CARD project. Thus the objective is to hold a final debriefing workshop after all translation of project reports has been completed. A conference style presentation of report findings will be provided as a formal completion to the CARD project. This will be followed by a detailed workshop analysis of report recommendations and transfer of future initiative of the project to the steering committee.
ACTIVITIES : Detailed completion of activities
The 7 project activities defined at the commencement of the project are highlighted in table 2. All activities have been completed. The death of John Fryer left a gap in managing project activities in Vietnam. However, the appointment of Phillip Blackwell (an expert in sawmilling) to
a volunteer position to oversee CARD project activities has ensured that all the activities have been brought to a successful conclusion. The first activity ‐ development of the survey questionnaire through the inception meeting of stakeholders meeting was characterised by enormous enthusiasm and input into defining the survey questionnaire. No problems were experienced in conducting the survey or summarising the results. The data base provides a detailed snapshot of an industry that has grown exponentially and is now looking at vertical integration to expand its activities into value added processing.
Phil Blackwell has championed the establishment of saw‐mill training facilities. The original aim was to establish a horizontal band saw. Historically the original horizontal bandsaw was developed for sawing larger diameter native logs and has since been adapted for use with small diameter acacia logs. As the project team became more familiar with operation of the horizontal bad‐ saw, it became clear that given the quality and small diameter of acacia logs that the industry would be better served with a vertical band saw. This also became obvious when interviewing those mills that had adopted vertical band‐sawing rather horizontal band‐sawing. This change was agreed to by CARD.
Early on in the development of the project there was some aspiration to find the next evolutionary step in sawing. To move from small scale horizontal sawing in the back yard to a more sophisticated systems similar in principle to the HEW sawing technology. In undertaking a detailed review of sawmilling technologies including the HEW sawing technology, it is clear that the leap in technology brings with it a cost in capital jump from $3000 to between $1‐2million and the additional requirements for continuity in supply of high quality raw material. There is obviously a place for a very limited number of such automated mills in Vietnam. On balance however, it is not possible to substitute current technology without severe impacts on rural employment that in the end would tend to be counterproductive. However, much can be done through a sawmill improvement program to improve the safe operation of current equipment.
At the same time there are appropriate technologies that can be used for value adding such as the use of properly controlled drying schedules (for use in existing kilns) and the introduction of
Trang 14solar kilns. Similarly in the treatment area, a “LowTech” treatment process has been designed for rural communities to complement the rural sawmill. This is identified at this point because it would be opportune to install drying and wood treatment facilities to complement the CARD initiative in establishing a training mill. Funding of this additional equipment is beyond the means of the current CARD budget.
Activity 3 involved establishing an electronic web page. Dr Pham Duc Chien has established an internet connection for project members to review / edit project reports and training material
as well as a repository for completed work. This has proven to be a valuable means of communication between project members. Once the project is handed over to FSIV the net work will be made available to clusters of sawmills through a public internet connection.
Activities and 4, 5, 6 and 7 have provided train the trainer sessions in Australia and Vietnam and the delivery of 4 training sessions at various locations through Vietnam. A nucleus of Forest Service staff has been trained to provide on–going delivery. Teaching materials have been developed and translated into Vietnamese to service on‐going training courses. Expansion of this nucleus of trainers is a priority for the future and recommendations have been forwarded that all field staff of the Forest Service should be given level 4‐6 training in forest industries so that in future, levels 1‐4 (basic training in forest industries) can be provided to sawmill clusters throughout Vietnam. The sawmill survey has highlighted that courses prior to the CARD project were of poor quality and barely relevant to needs. It will take some time to address this perception. In the mean time the training of all forest service staff plus management levels from other government departments and industry will ensure that a continuous stream of field staff are able and willing to continue to provide training in the field. Skill is needed in targeting clusters of sawmills and therefore recommendations include the provision of an extension service within the forest service that will take on this responsibility.
Activity 8 is planned to be delivered in a workshop in September 2010. The workshop will coincide with translation of all reports and technical notes into Vietnamese and delivery of the final report to CARD. The objective this workshop is to deliver project findings and achieve commitment to recommendations of the final report.
Justification for non completed activities
All activities of the CARD project have been completed. Activity 8 has been timetabled and invitations sent out to key stakeholders. Whilst it may be argued that activity 8 should have been completed earlier, the volume of reports and materials generated by the CARD project has been overwhelming in terms of the translation required into Vietnamese. As the project has progressed it has also become clearer that rural sawmilling has become an enormously important sector and in future its servicing needs to be at the core of Forest Service policy and activity. This importance needs to be articulated to relevant agencies within government, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies. This CARD project needs to be handed on as an on‐going concern. Thus it is appropriate to hold a completion ceremony and a formal handing over of further responsibility for future initiatives to stakeholders and inception committee.
Trang 15Quality of activity achievements
It is potentially inappropriate for the project team to comment on the quality of activity achievements. The quality of work done should become apparent at the final workshop. The project has been enormous in scope and has required all members of the project team to work very long hours over an extended period of time. Despite the frustrations apparent in delays that have occurred (at no fault of the project team) all activities have worked extraordinarily well because of the detailed planning undertake at the front end of the project. John Fryer has
to be credited with the vision and management skills needed in designing the details of the program. However, every member of the project team has contributed to the program of work with enormous enthusiasm and commitment. Hopefully this is apparent in the reports that have been prepared. Commitment of the project team possibly reflects increasing awareness of how important this project will be for the future well being of the rural poor in Vietnam and the responsibility that each of us shares in ensuring that their message is heard by those that can influence future directions for forestry and forest industries in Vietnam.
PROJECT
PURPOSE
Sustainable and profitable development of small rural sawmills in Vietnam
Greater acacia sawn timber production from rural areas.
Expansion of trade
in sawn acacia between rural Vietnam and cities
Experience of using acacia for saw timber is limited, existing sawmill
limitations.
OBJECTIVE 1 To identify & define
industry problems and opportunities through a comprehensive survey and review the rural sawmilling industry
Completed questionnaire and survey
Written report Survey conducted
primarily by structured interview with saw millers
OUTPUT 1 Technical report on a
survey conducted to determine state of sector
Review of report and objectives by advisory committee
Written report Time frame may be
optimistic Statistical verification may be difficult
ACTIVITY 1 Inception meeting of
stakeholders, establishment
of a stakeholder project steering committee, followed by survey
stakeholders need to
be engaged, feel ownership of project
OBJECTIVE 2 To establish a facility for
training and technology development
Block training courses
in Central Vietnam completed
Progress report No.
4 completed and delivered to CARD
physical facilities may be inadequate
OUTPUT 2 Course design for block
delivery in Central VN and lecture notes completed.
Course notes translated into Vietnamese
Publication of Course Notes
difficulty of finding right level for course content
Trang 16ACTIVITY 2. Evaluate and purchase
That poor sawing quality is due to poor equipment & improvements can
be made to the locally manufactured sawmill
designed for cluster groups. The first draft will
be designed by PB and then adapted by FSIV
Web page operational Progress report No.
2 completed and delivered to CARD.
Web page to be displayed either by FSIV or both organizations
ACTIVITY 4. Block training courses and
advertised to target audience.
OBJECTIVE 3 To deliver training courses
in VN and Aust
Curricula prepared, training undertaken.
training completed.
evaluation delivered
appropriate audience identified, training well targeted
ACTIVITY 5. Block training courses for
trainers defined and held in Australia. Lecturing staff U
of M. PV, PB, GH, BO, DB.
Additional training in saw doctoring held at the Timber Training Centre , Aust.
Block training courses for trainers in Australia drafted by U
of M staff and finalised. Training hand‐book completed
training completed , handbook, report and evaluation
appropriate audience identified, training well targeted to needs
ACTIVITY 6 Block training courses for
trainers held in VN
Block training courses
completed in VN, training handbook for trainers drafted
training completed, handbook, report with evaluation delivered
appropriate audience identified, training well targeted to needs
ACTIVITY 7 Block training courses for
saw millers held in Central Vietnam.
Block training courses completed
Achieve
target audience
ACTIVITY 8. Meeting of stakeholders to
material and training the trainer’s manual. Project objectives reviewed.
Progress report no. 3
to CARD, October
2008
review report stakeholders take
active interest in project
Trang 17OBJECTIVE 4 investigate, demonstrate
and recommend on more appropriate or alternative technologies to improve industry performance
Final report (no. 4) delivered to CARD May 2009
technology needs with
recommendations
appropriate new technologies available, industry amenable to change
performance Vietnamese manufactured horizontal band saws.
evaluation completed, specific report on potential improvements in this technology
recommendations
industry amenable
to change
protocols for reducing fungal degrade logs and sawn timber.
study completed report on protocols
recommendations
industry amenable
to change
OUTPUT 6. Review technologies and
need for preservative treatment in Vietnam.
Work to be conducted by
PV and Ngoc
review completed, report on preservation needs
recommendations
industry amenable
to change
strategies for industry development. Work to be conducted by PV, BO and TRUNG.
long term strategy dialogue open with GoV
discussion papers with
recommendations
GoV and industry
discussion
OUTPUT 9. Identify domestic market
requirements for sawn timber (sizes grades) evaluate quality aspects
market requirements identified and quality needs evaluated
report on market requirements
market information available
OUTPUT 10. Identify future technology
and training needs.
TRUNG, PV, PB, BO.
seminar with stake holders; review findings and draft recommendations
seminar report
recommendations
stakeholders engaged
OUTPUT 11 Final assessment of uptake
of training and new technology
Observed response to training, improved productivity and safety
contribution to final report
participants willing
to cooperate
delivered to CARD May 2009
final report all relevance
information available
INPUTS
Equipment Description
The following equipment has been purchased, supplied and handed over to FSIV
Trang 18Spare blades for sawmill
Trang 19
to the future economic development of Vietnam and are projected to grow. In making recommendations as to how sawmills in rural Vietnam can contribute to economic growth and the prosperity of rural communities it is difficult to achieve an integrated approach unless a future vision of forestry, the Forest Service and forest industries is articulated.
Far‐reaching recommendations are made in relation to expanding the role of the Forest Service
to embrace a more expansive research, education and extension program. A national research program is defined that focuses on forest industries that should provide research of the highest international standing. The overall vision is a research program that focuses on rolling back climate change, provides technologies that are clean and moves society towards a sustainable future based on applying life‐cycle criteria.
Research staffing needs are identified for sawmilling, wood protection and drying. The objective
is to provide research of the highest quality where staff engage also in collaborative arrangements with other research providers, educational institutions and industry to provide on‐going education, training, and extension to assist development of the rural forest industries sector.
Structural arrangements are identified through the Vietnam Forest Service (for example the establishment of a Timber Preservation Authority) to provide better quality control of timber used in furniture manufacturing and construction that should enhance the reputation of wood employed in these industries in Vietnam, thus developing the domestic market for using more wood relative to materials that have a much higher carbon foot‐print; protecting timber and wood product export markets from pests and diseases and safe guarding Vietnam from accidental imports of undesirable pests and diseases.
Background
This report provides a summary of final recommendations being considered by stakeholders and senior Forest Service officials to ensure ongoing development of rural forest industries in Vietnam
In fulfilling the objectives of the CARD project, specialised reports (Table 1.) have focused on providing background information from which detailed analyses could be undertaken of specific
Trang 20sectoral issues within the forest industries in Vietnam. In pulling together potential policy information and detailed recommendations into this final report it is clear that on‐going relevant research education and training will only occur if there is an environment and organisation promoting the long‐term ongoing pursuit of these activities. The requirements of rural development cannot be looked at in isolation and in the current instance need to be examined in relation to the long‐term goals of forestry and the forest industries in Vietnam.
Table 1 Reports completed for the CARD project
Background CARD reports:
(i) Review of forest industries in Vietnam
(ii) Survey of rural sawmills in Vietnam
(iii) Survey of log producers in Vietnam
Sector reports
(i) Sawmilling
(ii) Drying
(iii) Wood Preservation
(iv) Education training and research1
Progress reports
Technical reports
Validation and Completion report
Chien et al (2010) reviews the current state of the forest products industry in Vietnam and has highlighted the economic importance of the forest industries sector to Vietnam. In brief:
• Sawn timber production in Vietnam exceeds 2 million m3 /annum.
• Wood exports rank fifth in importance behind crude oil, textiles, footwear and seafood
• Exports increased on average by 43% annually between 2000 and 2008.
• Vietnam has become the 4th largest global manufacturer and exporter of furniture that together with handicrafts are exported to over 100 countries.
• Domestic production of timber is supplemented by significant imports of unprocessed logs. Fifty‐three percent of logs processed in Vietnam are imported. The value of timber imports exceeds US$1 billion.
• Vietnam uses 11 million m3 of wood / year of which 57% is used for sawn timber for producing outdoor and indoor furniture and construction timber. The percentage end‐use of acacia produced by rural sawmills (derived from questionnaires directed at small rural sawmills, Blackwell et al (2009) highlights also the importance of the domestic markets for furniture production.
• Domestic production of raw logs from plantations is expected to grow substantially following the Vietnamese Governments objectives (1998) of establishing a 5 million hectare reforestation program. Various estimates (e.g MARD, 2010) estimate that by
2020, Vietnam could be capable of supplying 20 million m3 annually. Currently domestic wood production from plantations is expanding at about 10% / annum. This has offset a reduction in the availability of wood from natural forests.
• Seventy‐five percent of the current harvest from plantations comprises acacia spp. This percentage is expected to increase.
Trang 21• The plantation rotation age for acacia is approximately 7‐8 years. Logs have a small average diameter of approximately 250 mm.
Logically there needs to be investment and expansion of forest service activities to ensure that the true potential of forestry and forest industries meet both government and the general public expectations. This report therefore provides background or a potential vision of forestry and forest industries in Vietnam and broad recommendations as to how the sectors might develop. Clearly different people will have different visions as to how forestry and forest industries might develop. The vision given here identifies generic ideas as to why the sector is important. The ideas are presented to provide a discussion point but more importantly a vision
of the future that can inspire those in decision making roles of the need to provide clear, long‐term policies for rural and urban development in Vietnam.
The role of the National Forest Service
The success of a Forest Products Research Laboratory will depend to a great extent on its structure and culture. It’s culture will depend on how it is organised within the sector it services.
If there is a strong national Forest Service, then the Forest Products Research Laboratory will organise itself and draw its culture from the Forest Service. If the role of the forest service is to
be dissipated such that it’s mission becomes unclear or dysfunctional or resources become difficult, then it is better that the research function is devolved possibly to an independent commercial entity and the services needed by government purchased from such an entity.
Potentially forestry and forest products research should provide a pivotal role in rolling back global warming. This arises because forests provide a store of sequestered carbon that can be managed to meet a multitude of objectives. When managed properly the forests provide a vast array of products and services. This requires long term planning and long term stability in organisational structure and a tradition of community service. This report argues for a strong commitment by Government to a national forest service that integrates the needs of the total forest sector. Component Divisions (head office) of the Forest Service should include the following:
Trang 22The purpose of outlining a possible structure of the Vietnam Forest Service is to focus on the role and functional units within such a forest service and secondly and more importantly illustrate the functional role of research and it’s segregation into 4 distinct research groupings and secondly identify the separate role of forest extension (that focuses on farm forestry and training
The conservation of tropical rain forests and native habitats
Currently less than 10% of world forests are registered as or certified as meeting the environmental standards required for sustainable production. Given the North / South divide (northern and southern hemispheres) there is an urgent need to ensure that forestry and the implementation of forest policy comes under the aegis of a single organization charged with the responsibility of ensuring that forests are properly managed, so that the goals of conservation at
a national level are met. Forest Conservation needs to be given teeth and authority to ensure that there is no illegal logging; that the forests are managed to ensure biodiversity; that records are kept of the long term management objectives; that scientific information is collected and analysed and made available for future generations. These objectives cannot be met effectively through dissipation of the role of the national forest service or transfer of decision making to local community forestry interests. However, community engagement and community requirements need to be addressed, but addressed professionally through a forest service that
is trained in meeting these needs; needs that often have a multitude of frequently conflicting objectives.
It is recommended that a single National Forest Service is provided with sole responsibility for
managing public forests (whether national heritage or production forests, but excluding privately owned forests) and ensuring that existing or surviving relic or near relic rain forests are protected from further unsustainable exploitation. The forest service needs to be provided full autonomy in ensuring that there is no illegal logging or practices that might lead to the deterioration of these forests.
The establishment of “New Forests” to meet the needs and bridge the divide between city dwellers and rural settlers
Forestry is a vocation, a calling for those interested in nature, conservation and sustainability. The Forest Service should monitor the environment and provide protection for endangered species; it should provide rural employment and opportunities for sustainable rural industries and provide recreation for city dwellers. A stable Forest Service should provide a vocational career. It should provide stable employment for it’s staff and skill development through education and training; help substitute imports of value added products, encourage the development of value added exports; meet community needs for products and infrastructure; apply life cycle analysis to ensure carbon positive development of infrastructure and communities.
Forest Services need to have powers of enforcement similar to those of the army or police, to ensure that forest boundaries and resources are protected. Forests are too important for the well being of the planet to allow indiscriminate conversion to agriculture. Forests need to be protected from fire. This requires the development of fire plans for each forest area, extensive
Trang 23monitoring and research of fire prone areas and local staff that are familiar with the areas, the science of monitoring and the management skills needed for command and control of emergency situations. The training needs are extensive and traditionally foresters received extensive university training in all the skills needed to manage multiple objectives. Entry into University requires very high levels of school education and achievement to ensure that the demands of forest management are catered for using the best brains available for the job.
The demise of forest services into organizations that simply provide monitoring, policy development and advice to ministers has seen a number of consequences. These include:
• The dismantling of research capability and loss of infrastructure needed in managing national forest assets,
Consolidating supply of raw materials
Survey results from the small rural sawmilling industry highlighted a chronic problem for most rural sawmills in ensuring an adequate and consistent supply of logs for their businesses. To a greater extent the use of small‐scale low capacity horizontal bandsaws can be viewed as
“opportunistic processing of raw materials as and when the opportunity arises”. The current focus of raw material (acacia) producers is to produce wood chips for export. Wood chips represent a low value product and there is enormous opportunity loss in satisfying local demand for furniture and potential markets in building and construction that have not been realised. The absence of any planned long term supply of logs to rural sawmills servicing the domestic market means that there is insufficient security for any entrepreneurial activity to either invest in kiln drying equipment or sawmilling equipment. The problem is difficult in Vietnam because of a shortage of suitable forestry land, the small size of farms where farm forestry might be
practiced. None‐the‐less the “New Forests” strategy provides a major initiative for the long‐term
Trang 24development of rural sawmilling and value adding industries. In the short term the potential value of wood chip exports needs to be weighed against the potential for higher value products for domestic consumption and employment.
Consolidating domestic demand for wood products
The prosperity of rural communities is tied to developing a cash economy and demand for products. The development of new rural industries such as is provided by forest plantations and furniture manufacturing are often pivotal in generating cash flow. Appendix 2 “Forest Industries” provides generic information as to the long term merits of wood products in mitigating carbon use from fossil fuels; their potential for rolling back carbon emissions and their capacity for generating rural industries cash and infrastructure.
Research
The key to developing dynamic and sustainable forest industries in Vietnam, whether focused
on the industrial sector or rural sector or both, is through the establishment and support of a highly motivated mission orientated research institute focussed on such an outcome. The history of mission orientated research institutions all highlight how effective sector orientated research, education and training can be (relative to discipline based research) in implementing change, in promoting new technology, skill development and infrastructure support. Industry sectors that have had dedicated research laboratories focussed on the national, regional and individual needs of a sector tend to prosper and become more internationally competitive. Institutions such as ICFRE, Dehra Dun, India; the UK Princes Risborough Laboratories (Forest Products Laboratories); the NZ Forest Research Institute, Rotorua; Division of Forestry and Forest Products CSIRO; US Forest Products Laboratories, Madison, have all demonstrated this capacity, through providing knowledge and information of the fundamental attributes of wood
as a raw material, spear‐heading the development of new technologies and products, capacity building and providing the technical infrastructure needed for innovation as well as the technical solutions needed for the day to day issues and problems arising in forest industry enterprises and appreciation of the economic and political environment influencing the short term and long term development of the forest industries.
Whilst in many countries forest industries research lacks the glamour and high profile enjoyed
by many of the high tech, discipline based research groupings, the need for research and out‐reach in forest industries has never been greater. This arises from the fact that wood products store or sequester carbon as a solid, environmentally safe, stable product. The production of liquid CO2 (that sequesters carbon but also large amounts of oxygen) is being proposed by the coal industry in the US, Europe and Australia as a means of sequestering carbon dioxide derived from the combustion of coal. Wood or the 5,000 or so products that can be made from wood provides the raw material for value adding. These include paper for education; low cost high quality structures for shelter and furniture, bio‐resins, bio‐plastics, bio‐charcoal, bio‐energy, medicines etc. Wood provides these outcomes whilst at the same time sequestering carbon and reducing dependency on using fossil fuels. The carbon stored in wood can be produced at low cost whilst at the same time providing environmental services such as reducing soil salinity, reducing erosion, maintaining biodiversity, providing areas for wild‐life refuge, providing recreational areas for large urban populations, employment in rural areas to reduce rural
Trang 25depopulation improving rural infrastructure, and reducing dependence on imported products. Liquid CO2 on the other hand that is potentially pumped into the sea‐bed, (hopefully to remain dormant) is expensive to produce and increases the use of fossil fuels in its production and provides none of these services or products.
The ancient Greek scientists recognised Earth, Fire, Water and Air as the 4 essential elements. The ancient Chinese civilisations also recognised these elements, but also identified Wood as a
5th essential element. Whilst wood is possibly the oldest construction material known to man, the potential of wood as an industrial raw material is almost infinite. Wood fibre can substitute for cotton fibre in the manufacture of clothes and fabrics. Rayon and a range of biodegradable bio‐plastics can be manufactured from wood plastics and substitute many coal and oil derived plastics. A range of bio‐fuels and other widely used industrial chemicals can also be derived from waste biomass, for example, ethanol, methanol, furfural etc. Many of these products have been manufactured in the past but were discontinued when cheap oil became available.
As an industrial raw material plantation grown wood has to meet the costs of growing the crop
on a sustainable basis. Oil and coal are non‐renewable and there is no replacement cost associated with mining these resources to exhaustion. However, with the potential introduction
of carbon tax, this anomaly to a level playing field should see adjustments in the relative cost of wood as a raw material. The issue is how do we ensure that wood products are credited with carbon storage and the inevitable life cycle benefits that undoubtedly accrue? Clearly Government policies and protocols need to be applied justly so that the true life cycle benefits are captured.
The role of forest product research laboratories is therefore changing and needs to change quickly. Governments have been slow to identify the vital role that industrial forestry and wood products can make in rolling back CO2 emissions and sustaining rural infrastructure.
Forestry and the forest industries in Vietnam have a vital role in the economy of Vietnam. Forest products comprise the fifth largest export. The forest products economy is also expected to grow following the implementation of the governments plan to establish 5 million hectares of forest. Forestry and its associated sawmilling is also important to rural community development.
It provides employment and cash in rural areas as well as many products that are consumed locally.
Forest products research is very fragmented in Vietnam and is currently failing to provide any cohesive advice or leadership to the development of forestry or the forest industries.
It is recommended that a Forest Products Laboratory (Centre of Excellence) is established in
Hanoi under the banner of the Vietnam Forestry Department to provide such leadership.
Rather than identifying sections or departments within the institution that embrace traditional
areas of scientific endeavour, it is recommended that Programs are established under the
management of program managers that define very specific objectives, goals and outcomes. In other words these programs should be directed towards achieving outcomes in a well defined business plan and operation plan that addresses and implements government policy. Details of the programs are developed in Appendix 3.
Trang 26Education and training in forestry, wood science, timber engineering and furniture
Most of the knowledge and technical knowhow needed by industry practitioners, government departments, local authorities, industry, education, teachers for training rural communities, consultants etc. needed in forestry, wood‐science, timber engineering and furniture manufacture falls within a competency level ranging from 4‐6 in terms of complexity within a range of 1‐8, (Level 1 basic competency in mechanical operations; Level 8 PhD). Levels 1‐4 are best supervised by industry within the work place with input from a technical college, or in the case of rural training by extension officers attached to the forestry department / forest research institute, while levels 7 and 8 (undergraduate / post graduate learning) are best supervised by universities.
Training at levels ranging from 4‐6 pose a problem in that the level is lower than that normally found in an undergraduate degree B.Sc. (levels 6‐7), but higher than the level normally found in technical colleges (1‐4). Universities tend to aspire to providing higher levels of education (6‐7) and often shun diploma level courses (4‐6). Technical colleges tend to feel more comfortable focusing on apprenticeship training.
Where forest services or forest extension services and or forest research institutes are involved
or spear‐head levels 4‐6 training the outcome is usually a highly competent series of courses tailored to the needs of the student and employer (usually in this case the forest service). However, staff movement between the government department and industry or the private
sector generally ensures that the whole sector benefits from such training. It is recommended
that each Research Program and (each researcher) indentified in this report forming the Forest Products Laboratory develops and maintains specialised self‐teaching and self assessment notes for students and provides continuous updates incorporating the latest research findings. Such a task is not particularly onerous for researchers and has benefits for researchers in that it enhances communication and knowledge transfer between the researcher and end‐users of such knowledge.
It is anticipated that the training components for each Program identified would need one week
of block delivery. Total numbers of students per year needing training at the level 4‐6 above would probably stabilized to about 30‐40/year. However, specialized 1 day workshops could also
be organized to assist with specialized issues where numbers ranging from 70 ‐100 individuals might be anticipated. The topics might include:
• Control of sap‐stain in hardwood species.
• Optimising drying schedules for acacia species.
Research training and education focus
The detailed survey of rural sawmills undertaken as part of the CARD project together with comments received from CARD courses provided to sawmill workers and sawmill owners
identified the following discipline areas that might form a wood products research laboratory:
• Value adding manufacture (furniture)
• Wood quality and primary conversion (horizontal band‐sawing).
Trang 27The industrial processing of acacia species in Vietnam highlights the suitability of acacia spp. for furniture manufacture. The “low‐tech” horizontal and vertical band saws manufactured in Vietnam have provided very effective low cost technology that has been used to great effect in meeting a local demand for furniture components. In some cases this demand has extended into overseas markets for furniture and furniture components. The survey results indicate that the recovery of sawn timber is very high (51%) in all three regions of Vietnam (North, South and Central). This consistency within and between regions provides confidence that such a high yield
is indeed obtained. Often the raw material is of very low quality. The demand for acacia as a furniture timber and the ease with which this species has been adopted by the rural sawmilling industry highlights the fact that the technological attributes of acacias’ are eminently suitable for furniture manufacturing. The technical specifications for furniture timber, however, are more than just a consideration of the wood properties such as drying behaviour, stability, engineering attributes (including density, strength, hardness), machining properties and surface finishing characteristics, but needs to take into account processing specifications and the minimum quality standards needed for furniture manufacture. Unfortunately if these quality requirements are not met, then the final product will invariably fail to meet expectation and will fail in use prematurely. This in turn provides pressure to find alternative materials such as steel, aluminium and plastics to substitute the particular end‐uses. In the end this is a loss for the rural sector and is potentially suboptimal for the economy because it often leads to the import of
finished products and the export of jobs.
Strategies to Assist Rural Sawmill Development in Vietnam
Clearly the preceding sections highlighting the long term development of forestry, forest industries, research, education and training in Vietnam all have a major impact on the development of rural sawmilling and associated value adding processing in Vietnam. The pivotal role of the Vietnam Forest Service in achieving these outcomes is highlighted.
A major expansion of the role of the Vietnam Forest Service in meeting these challenges is implicit in the recommendations that have been made. Integration of research, extension activities and technical training at levels 4‐6 is also implicit. The vision is to achieve a highly effective Forest Service with all operational staff (primarily foresters and researchers) trained in
Trang 28all aspects of silviculture, wood utilisation, sawmilling wood drying and preservation and extension as an integral part of their duties. Thus initially the main clientele for the block courses provided by the forestry divisions and research institute would be internal upgrading of skills so that extension and advise to rural communities can be provided as a net‐work from staff
on the ground. In effect these courses are focused on training the trainers. Thus potential students for these courses would also include staff from technical colleges who provide levels 1‐
4 training, university lecturers who provide levels 6‐8 training, industry employees (middle management and sawmill owners) who have responsibility for implementing training within the work place. Provision of lecturing by research staff of the proposed forest products laboratory provides a very effective means of culturing strong ties between researchers and the industry they service.
It is recommended that a Timber Preservation Authority (TPA) is established (effectively a Board
made up of stakeholders that has an interest in improving the durability of timber used in Vietnam). The Board would have responsibility for defining policy that meets the needs of all parties. Implementation of the policy and the policing of standard agreed by the Board is then achieved through a specialized department of the Forest Service. There are distinct and important roles for such a department.
• Working with customs to ensure that pests and diseases relating to trees and timber products are kept out of Vietnam
• Working with customs and timber manufacturers to ensure that timber products are clean of pests and diseases that might be exported with the products.
• Working with researchers and educationalists to ensure that research education and training needs are relevant
• Senior researcher in wood preservation,
• Senior Forest Service Manager of the Timber Inspection Service
Trang 29• Collaboration and support from stakeholders including the government department managing building.
Further details relating to the establishment of a Timber Preservation Authority are given in a detailed report on the wood preservation industry in Vietnam (Vinden et al 2010). The same report provides detailed recommendations in relation to the structure of a national research group focussed on wood protection, training and education, wood preservation standards, wood preservatives, low cost preservative treatment technologies, in particular “Low Tech Treatments” and the importance of creating a research culture that evaluates potential research projects using a disciplined approach to life‐cycle analysis and benefit/cost analysis.
It is recommended that a National Research Team is established in Wood Protection. The
research team will need to comprise 2 mycologists (one focused on sap‐stain, mould control and service life assessment) and the other on laboratory decay assessment of natural durability and new preservative formulations), an entomologist, surface coatings chemist, analytical chemist and wood treatment expert (wood scientist) and qualified technicians to assist the work program. The leader of the group needs to understand commercial research and be familiar with the workings of governments and departments charged with responsibility for managing national standards. The team needs also to have strong linkages to a wood drying research group and research groups focused on wood anatomy, life‐cycle analysis, forestry, economics and statistical analysis.
Trang 30is prevalent and where final drying of timber to emc is a requirement of further processing.
• Further research is needed to develop drying and processing methodologies specifically for plantation grown acacias for use in furniture production in Vietnam.
• Drying technology should focus on solar kilns using Australian technology to develop demonstration models for solar drying in Vietnam
Comparative investigations are needed to determine the best locations for solar drying using the regression analysis models identified in the wood drying report (Harris et al 2009) throughout Vietnam.
• A model should be developed for the creation of modern drying plants for clusters of small‐scale sawmills and/or clustering existing sawmills into larger units to improve processing and drying techniques. Funding is needed to support the building of appropriate kilns.
A major activity of these researchers would involve extension services to rural sawmills.
Whilst kilns varied in sophistication from being state of the art technology to low cost, low tech, locally built plant, without exception improvements could be made to the operation of each kiln that was audited. The report on Wood drying (Harris et al 2009 summarises where improvements can be made to each of the kilns visited. This forms the basis of a “Wood drying improvement program” that needs to be implemented. This is an urgent need given that most
of the kiln dried material is destined for furniture manufacture. As a general comment most kilns in Vietnam operate as ovens. Whilst the primary objective of reducing the moisture content of timber to below fibre saturation point (28%moisture content) is achieved, there is a high variability in final moisture content. This inevitably results in down‐stream problems associated with the quality of joinery or furniture that is manufactured from the timber. The same report (Harris et al 2009) also evaluates the potential for solar kiln drying in Vietnam. There is great potential for solar kiln drying technology in Vietnam for furniture manufacturers and small sawmillers particularly in the HCM City region and Dak Lak Province, where air‐drying
• Further research is undertaken to develop drying and processing methodologies specifically for plantation grown acacias for use in furniture production in Vietnam. This could involve the training of a Masters research student jointly in Vietnam and Australia, with the objective of training the person for implementing the “Wood drying improvement program”.
• The development of new drying technology should focus on: