A native species of Laos, teak is one of the world's most sought after timbers. The high demand for teak wood, coupled with significant shortages of supply from natural forests in recent years, means there are now over 10,000 hectares of Laotian teak plantations around Luang Prabang. These are predominantly owned and managed by local farmers who unfortunately receive little training on responsible management practices and rely heavily on roadside traders to sell their logs. As a result, plantations are not managed sustainably and farmers don’t get the real and fair price for their wood.

 

In partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA), WWF Laos, the Department of Forestry (DOF) and the Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry (PAFO), TFT is working to overcome these problems with your donation. The Luang Prabang Community Teak Program, aims to promote the sustainable management of teak plantations according to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).