Expert discussion at Rezekne High School: efficient forest management is one of the cornerstones of Latvia's development

Considering the potential of the forest sector and the economic independence of Latvia, the expert discussion held on 8 October in Rezekne, the University of Rezekne, the participants agreed that, despite the high level of development of the forest sector and its current enormous contribution to the economy of Latvia, its potential is not yet exhausted, and the value of the industry may be significantly increased by smart farming.
The expert discussion was attended by Cristaps Ceplis, Executive Director of the Latvian Forest Federation, Kristaps Klaus, Chairman of Latvian Forest Owners' Board, Arnis Muižnieks, Director of Latvian State Forests' unit “seed and plantations” Guntis Grandāns, owner of the farm “vanagi” Artis Vaivods and Deputy Director of Rēzekne High School for Co-operation and Development Dr paed., docent Gunārs Strods. Speakers discussed topics such as the future potential of the forest sector, the importance of the sector in the regions of Latvia and their development, outlets, development opportunities etc. As one of the main conclusions, there was an indication of a number of experts that Latvia is one of the forests of the forest and it does not matter how much our land is, but how effective it is to manage it.
“Latvia is a forest-rich land - forest is one of our main resources and forest production is among the most visible export products. For Latvia, the forest is the same as that of other countries, gold, oil, precious stones, coal etc., and the potential of the forest allows us to gain an equivalent benefit. The sector has to grow, but we have already reached a very high level in the use of Latvia's main natural resource. In addition, more than 40 000 people have a job as well as a special role in regional development, as more than 80% workers are employed in regions,” says Cristaps Ceplis, member of the “green house” board.
In similar thoughts is the Chairman of the Latvian Forest Owners' Board, Arnis Muižnieks, adding a statement that forestry should be perceived as entrepreneurship and, as in any business area, it is necessary to be able to work - to invest in order to increase the value of this business in the future. MR A. Manor emphasized: “today competition on land resources is growing increasingly, and land owners need to understand how to obtain a greater value from what they grow. In addition, financial support from EU funds of several million funds is also available to develop efficient forestry. '
In view of the fact that the forest-growing cycle is quite long, it is essential that not only qualitative but also genetically good plants which will create a high-value forest in the future. As THE director of the “Latvian State Forests” unit “seed and planting” Guntis Grandāns, “three whales of the forest sector” are seed production bases, well-developed timber farms and scientific research. In the selection of high-quality plants, we have been with pine, birch and glorious circles. In contrast, the spruce, at least in the East of Latvia, is in itself genetically excellent. Forest scientists certify that the pine plants that are now planted will grow on average by 20 – 30 years faster than the previous generation, but the apprenticeship and birch - at least 20 years faster. Last year, the sales volume was 45.9 million plants, of which approximately 35.6 million plants were planted in Latvian forests, while some 10 million plants were exported to foreign countries. "
It is agreed by the owner of the “vanagi” farm, Artis Vaivods, who shows an example of how it is possible to obtain a high-value wood during the entire lifetime of the forest by working properly and effectively. A. Vaivod states: “if the human life is about 70 years and the forest grows as long as the forest, then, of course, only a logical question can arise, why should a person be engaged in forestry? But by wisely housekeeping – by planting good planting material in a timely and accurate fashion, every forest owner can also benefit from the planted forest itself. I firmly believe that every corner of the land must be managed and many formal agricultural land that cannot be effectively sown, rather than being neglected and reared with bushes, but by settling. The forest gives a man much more than an empty and uncleaned meadow. '
In spite of the opportunities provided by the forest sector to the Latvian economy, it is often necessary to fight the stereotypes in society and prejudices on forest management practices.
“There is often a false belief in society that we are exporting only logs and cheaply sold to Latvia” Green gold, but the truth is that unprocessed costume from Latvia is not actually exported and there is strong competition between local producers. Latvian producers not only prevent the sale of local logs outside Latvia, but they are very actively buying them in Lithuania, Sweden, Norway and Belarus, in order to add additional value to these logs and then already as boards, furniture, timber structures will be sold again in foreign countries, growing the total value of the sector and the welfare of the country. Our producers are gradually growing the surplus of wood - wood wood - recycling capacity, increasing the production of particle board, granules and other products, however, for the time being, the whole volume of the wood is not recycled, so this assortment is still being exported, which we can see well in ports.
The growth of timber industry is very well characterised by the fact that, in the period 2000-2015, the value of exports of timber products with virtually equal felling volumes has risen three times, and this trend is still ongoing, emphasizes THE Executive Director of THE LKF Kristaps Klauss.
The discussion “forest – the beginning of the road for a prosperous economy” was to share the experience so far and to search for the most efficient roads in the sustainable forest sector and thus to the development of Latvian economy.
 
 
 
Other information:
Ieva Carklina
“P.R.A.E. public relations”
Tel.: 26994767
Email: i.karklina@prae.lv