| Box 13 - Multi-client program in Forestry Research
The Research Institute of Forestry Research (IPEF) of the School of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz, São Paulo University, was created 25 years ago in Piracicaba, bringing together five private companies, Champion, Duratex, Rigesa, Industrial de Papel León Feffer and Madeirit, to deal with questions of common interest. Today, there are 23 associated companies, and the results have been surprisingly good. The average productivity of wood, which was around 15 cubic meters per hectare per year, is now about 30 m3/ha/year for the companies associated to IPEF. The institute has contributed to this increase in productivty through basic research and education and training of personnel for the companies. Its germ research center, recognized by UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, is the largest in the southern hemisphere in genetic materials, and commercializes about three tons of seeds each year, exporting to countries like Indonesia, Venezuela and Thailand. As an example, 300 kg of seeds from Eucalyptus urophilla where sold recently to Indonesia, which is the country from where this species originates. The associated companies are located in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, São Paulo, Pará, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. This model of association was followed by other institutions. Today, besides IPEF, there is the Fund for Forestry Research in Curitiba, Paraná (FUPEF) and the Society for Forestry Investments in Viçosa, Minas Gerais (SIF). Research takes place also in state research institutes such as the São Paulo Forestry Institute, which sells about 23 tons of seeds yearly. João Lúcio Azevedo, 1993. |