intsika yethu local municipality - Provincial Spatial Development plan

5.4.6 ForestryForestry is the second largest industry within the primary sector after agriculture in IYLM. According toECSECC data, forestry is an industry that has been declining over the past 10 years; this reflects a generaltrend of economic contraction within the primary sector. Just as with Agriculture, there is great potentialwithin the forestry industry despite the fact that it continues to perform poorly in terms of economicoutput. IYLM has available natural forests which could be utilised for forestry. Furthermore there is alsoopen land that could be used for expansion of current forests. As an industry, forestry has the potential tostimulate growth of secondary sector industries such as furniture manufacturing.The potential of IYLM to develop a flourishing forestry industry is something which has been recognisednot only by the local municipality, but also by the District Municipality. CHDM has categorised thegrowth of a forestry, timber and wood processing industry as one of its priorities in terms of the Growthand development summit. Forestry within IYLM features prominently within CHDM plans for the district,for example CHDM plans to establish medium size sawmill to benefit Intsika Yethu and EngcoboMunicipalities. The district also plans to facilitate aforestation in IYLM among other areas.Table 34: Forestry SWOT analysisStrengthsWeaknessesAvailability of Natural forestsAvailability of land for forestry expansionpurposesPro-poor biased government legislationand policies;Availability of labour forcePrivate sector interest in partnering withcommunitiesOpportunitiesLack of information and knowledge ofgovernment policy on forestry expansion,transfer of Category B and C plantationsNo clearly defined role of themunicipality in forestry developmentincluding woodlots and commercialplantationsPoor road network and otherinfrastructure;Lack of funding to expand currentproduction scale;Shortage of appropriate skills;Poor co-ordination resulting in lack ofimplementationPoor leadership in forestry developmentby the municipality Complex land tenure systemThreats Furniture manufacturing DWAF programmes to supportcommunity afforestation initiatives Willingness of well-established forestrycompanies to enter into partnerships andinvest in community afforestationprogrammes Integration of forestry development intoagriculture Increasing forestry marketSource: IYLM 2020 LED Strategy and Implementation Plan, 2007Natural disastersManmade disasters such as fires, arsonEnvironment hazardsComplex tenure arrangements85