Burapha Agroforestry

Burapha was founded by two Swedish entrepreneurs and a Lao shareholder back in 1990. They first started out with the plantation operation and then its wood processing operation in 2000. Today, the company operates the only FSC certified plantations and the only FSC-certified wood processing industries in Laos. Burapha holds a unique position in Laos as much of the country's timber policy was developed in partnership with the company. Burapha was the first company in Laos to establish commercial plantations at a time when natural forests were the only, and threatened, source of tropical hardwoods in the country. In accordance with Burapha's environmental policy, the company is only dealing with plantation wood. Burapha is one of the world leaders within the concept of Agroforestry, with first development work being done already in 2005. Agroforestry is a land use system in which timber plantations are integrated with farm crop in the same area and it offers significant environmental, social and financial benefits. Proven agroforestry systems in combination with funds for rural development strongly supports the Government goal to eradicate poverty in remote rural areas.