Private forestry based on Paulownia in Sri Lanka: an appraisal of the outgrower scheme presented by Paulownia Plantations LTD

This paper presents the recommendations of NORAD consultants to a request for funding from Paulownia Plantations (Pvt.) Ltd (PPL) to develop a plantation industry based primarily on Paulownia, a fast growing tree species originating from China.

The team of consultants were requested to assess the viability of the plans presented, economically, environmentally, socially and in terms of their potential contribution to the developmental aspirations of Sri Lanka.

Recommendations:

• donor support to the outgrower scheme, including an extension component and an R&D programme
• a proposed payback scheme from the farmers at the time of harvesting should be organised as a refund into the community development fund, providing a sustainable option for continuation of the ongoing general community development activities in the concerned villages