The Impacts of Training—Full Report

Technical Assistance and New Market Access for Community Forest Enterprises in the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras

Applying the principles of sustainable forest management and sound business practices, by 2008 the twelve participating cooperatives had achieved remarkable successes in increasing their productivity, enterprise competitiveness and overall income.

The below points summarize the most significant gains:

• Sustained production of high-quality pre-dimensioned mahogany for guitar components achieved, with a low percentage of rejects.
• 128% increase in income achieved, with a 33% increase in production (well within the allowable volume set out in management plans).
• Primary processing efficiency using improved chainsaw techniques improved by 12%, from 170 board feet (bf) per cubic meter (m³) in 2005 to 190 bf/m³ in 2008.
• Music grade wood increased from 17% of total output in 2005 to 51% in 2008. Higher grade quality output reached 15% and medium grade lumber increased from 2% in 2005 to 36% in the same period.
• Reduction in illegal trafficking of wood in the area of influence of UNICAF-BRP cooperatives.