Financial Analysis of Keora (Sonneratia apetala) Plantations in Bangladesh

S. S. Islam, Abul Kalam Azad, Jonaed Kabir, Mohammed Abu Taher Hossain

.

DOI: 10.4236/ojs.2012.21014                

Abstract

An attempt has been taken to compare economic performance of different ages of keora (Sonneratia apetala) Plantations in coastal zone in this paper. The main objective was to find out financial rotation and profitability of keora plantation. The existing market price of round wood per cubic meter and fuel wood per ton were found to be Tk. 2650 to Tk. 3530 and Tk. 670 to Tk. 940 respectively near plantation area in 2003. The harvesting and processing costs were estimated as 20% and 10% of the standing value of the trees. The value of IRR and other economic determinants for timber were varied among Coastal Afforestation Divisions mainly due to different rates of siltation, salinity and other factors involved on the forest floor in coastal zone. However, applying the economic determinants throughout coastal zone, financially remarkable rotation age for timber was found to be within 14^th to 16^th year of plantation and rotation age forfuel wood as 9^th year of plantation. Applying the same economic determinants keora plantation was also found as profitable in coastal zone in Bangladesh.

Keywords

Keora; Plantation; Determinants; Profitable

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	S. Das and N. A. Siddiqui, “The mangrove and mangrove forest of Bangladesh,” Bulletin No. 2, Mangrove Silviculture Division, Bangladesh Forest Resrarch Institute, Chittagong, 1985.
[2]	N. A. Siddiqui and M. A. S. Khan, “Growth Performance of Mangrove Trees along Coastal Belt of Bangladesh,” Mangrove Ecosystem Occasional Paper, Thomson Press, Delhi, 2000.
[3]	M. W. Baksha, “Report on the Pest Attack on Keora Plantation at Char Kashem under Coastal Afforestation Division,” Forest Protection Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong, 1983.
[4]	S. S. Islam, “Infestation of Stem Borer in Keora Plantation in Bangladesh,” The Journal of Forest Science, Vol. 18, No. 1-2, 1989.
[5]	R. Drigo, “The Maturing Mangrove Plantation of the Coastal Afforestation Project,” Assistance to the Forestry Sector, FAO/UNDP Project BGD/85/085, 1997.
[6]	M. V. Dalmacio and K. M. Bajracharya, “Back to Office Report from a Tour of Noakhali Coastal Afforestation Division on 6-12 March,” FAO/UNDP Project Report BGD/ 85/085, 1989.
[7]	N. A. Siddiqi, “Growth, Natural Thinning and Wood Production in a Keora (Sonneratia Apetala) Stand,” Bano Biggyan Patrika, Vol. 17, 1988, pp. 91-93.
[8]	M. S. Iftekhar and M. R. Islam, “Degeneration of Bangladesh Sundarbans Mangroves: A Management Issue,” Journal of Social Science, Vol. 6, 2004, pp. 123-135.
[9]	M. R. Islam, “Where Land Meets the Sea: A Profile of the Coastal Zone of Bangladesh,” The University Press Limited, Dhaka, 2004.
[10]	J. G. Kairo, F. Dahdouh-Guebas, J. Bosire and N. Koedam, “Restoration and Management of Mangrove Systems—A Lesson for and from the East African Region,” South African Journal of Botany, Vol. 67, 2008, pp. 383- 389.
[11]	N. A. Khan, J. K. Choudhury and K. S. Huda, “Forestry Sector Review Report,” Bangladesh Forest Department, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Dhaka, 2009.