TEAK PLANTATIONS IN NILAMBUR - Kerala Forest Research Institute

For valuing the output from thinning and final felling the mean yield is not
sufficient as the price differences between different girth and quality classes of
teakwood are very high. The mean distribution of yield by different girth and
quality classes for each operation has been worked out. The distribution of
yield from different types of work for Nilambur Divisions is presented in
Appendix 9. The percentage distribution of the same for Nilambur Divisions
is given in Appendix 10.
The benefits from a teak plantation are obtained from thinnings and final
felling. For arriving at the benefit from each operation the break up of each
item of output is multiplied with the corresponding price.
4.2. Profitability in Nilambur Divisions
Table 4.2 shows the average costs per ha for raising teak plantations in
Nilambur Divisions with mean yield. During the initial year, a cost of Rs.2900
is incurred for land preparation, nursery, planting etc. The maintenance cost
during the first and second year is Rs.3600 and during the third year it is
Rs.1750. Up to the middle of 1980's the maintenance of p1antations during
the first three years was entrusted to the taungya lessee who grew an
agricultural crop among the teak plants. Accordingly, instead of the present
cost, a revenue was obtained in the form of land rent. The taungya system
which prevailed for over 50 years in Kerala was discontinued due to soil
erosion etc. (Alexander et al,1980). For plantations with mean yield, the total
costs with a rotation of 53 years is Rs. 1,05,000 ha -1 .