Zululanders scoop forestry awards
Two Zululanders received this year's coveted awards in tree farming
At the recent NCT AGM in Pietermaritzburg, NCT Forestry announced its tree farmer of the year winners.
Zululanders, David Davidson and Mdumiseni Msomi, both of Kwa-Mbonambi, received this year’s coveted awards in tree farming.
The winners were recognised for their excellence in sustainable plantation management, which has earned them a place on the exclusive list of achievers in tree farming.
Private land winner
Davidson won the ‘Farm Managed on Private Land’ category.
He has managed Zenith Estate, on behalf of the family closed corporation, since 1995.
Zenith Estate is 385ha, with 320ha planted to timber.
The remainder of the farm consists of macadamias, lichis and citrus orchards.
What made him stand out from his peers was the exceptional silviculture practices, effective weed control, harvesting operations and firefighting capacities compliant with all aspects of sustainable plantation management and minimising impacts on the environment.
Open areas on the farm consist mainly of riparian zones with grasses and patches of indigenous bush, including a hectare of yellowwood trees (Podocarpus falcatus).
Davidson has been able to manage the impacts of a prolonged drought and insect pests in the area by changing his clone selections to more pest and drought resistant varieties.
Through good species selection, excellent silviculture and efficient harvesting the operation has remained sustainable under challenging conditions.
Communal land winner
The winner in this category is Mdumiseni Msomi.
He developed an interest in timber farming when only 19 years old and is the proud owner of land inherited from his father.
The land is extensively farmed with 8ha planted to timber, 1ha maize and vegetables on another hectare.
A long-standing member of NCT, Msomi congratulated NCT for its services to its members.
He said the co-op has nurtured and shared vital forestry information to enable his business and trees to grow.
Project regeneration, member workshops, a good payment and bonus system have all contributed to the success of his enterprise.
He said, ‘NCT is a reliable market partner and has made me realise the full value of my timber.’
Timber farming has enabled him to purchase equipment for the business, provide an education for his sons and improve his standard of living.
He has been able to diversify his business interests and is managing a spaza shop on his premises.
Msomi follows meticulous methods in land preparation and carefully manages coppice reduction.
He single handedly runs his operation and employs five workers on a seasonal basis at weeding and harvesting times.
Each winner received a Stihl chainsaw sponsored by Stihl Pietermaritzburg and PMB Power Products.
The NCT tree farmer of the year was initiated in 2002 and is awarded annually to tree farming operations that display excellence in sustainable plantation management.
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