The event brought together key players in Rwanda's wood product sector, including cooperatives, wood processors, traders, service providers, and government bodies. The aim was to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the wood product value chain in Rwanda.
Dr. Athanase Mukuralinda, ICRAF Rwanda Country Director, opened the with a call highlighting the need to create a platform for stakeholders in the wood sector to engage in constructive discussions that would lead to actionable solutions.
He pointed out that the wood product value chain, one of the key areas of focus for the project, holds significant potential.
'By improving climate-resilient production systems, the value chain can provide employment opportunities and income to a wide range of stakeholders, from forest managers and cooperatives to processors and traders,' he said.
This is part of the larger Transforming Eastern Province Through Adaptation (TREPA) project which aims to build a more resilient and equitable wood product value chain, particularly in Eastern Province.
The TREPA initiative focuses on restoring 60,000 hectares of drought-degraded landscapes and strengthening agroforestry systems, ultimately benefiting 75,000 smallholder farmers.
Dietmar Stoian, a lead scientist in value chains, private sector engagement and investments at ICRAF, shared insights into the goals of bringing together various actors involved in the wood product value chain.
He explained that the chain begins in the forest or plantations, where trees are grown and harvested. The wood then undergoes various processing stages, such as turning into sawn wood, fiberboard, or even fuel wood products like charcoal or pellets.
'The challenge faced by many actors in the value chain is their limited perspective. For example, producers may not understand the needs of the processors, and vice versa. Bringing all stakeholders together helps foster collaboration and a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities at each stage,' he said.
One key challenge identified was the lack of quality wood, which affects both production costs and the ability to add value. Stoian emphasized that overcoming such challenges requires collaboration between private companies, NGOs, and the state.
Speaking about the market dynamics, he noted that there is a significant opportunity for the wood product sector in Rwanda.
'Both fuel wood and timber have a higher demand than domestic supply, with imports filling the gap. However, the challenge remains that some of the imports are cheaper, posing a competitive threat to local producers,' he said.
Stoian called for better collaboration among stakeholders to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality, ultimately turning these challenges into opportunities.
Charles Kayumba, General Manager of Atelier de Mecanique Generale Du Rwanda (AMEGERWA Ltd), a local manufacturer and processor of wood products, also provided valuable input.
He stressed the importance of quality wood products and noted that poor quality often stems from premature harvesting of trees. He emphasized that forest conservation practices are essential to address this issue and ensure a sustainable supply of quality wood.
'Such a platform where stakeholders can share information and insights are crucial for disseminating knowledge and aligning the efforts of all actors in the wood value chain,' he said.
This marks an important step toward strengthening Rwanda's wood product value chain by fostering collaboration and addressing common challenges. Stakeholders are well-positioned to transform the sector, improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, and contribute to Rwanda's broader environmental and economic goals.
It is a starting point for ongoing collaboration, with plans for a larger follow-up consultation in February 2025 to develop an upgraded strategy for the wood product value chain.
Sam K Nkurunziza
