An interactive program between scientists, wood technologists, and industry leaders named as 'Research Outreach Program for Wood Industry' was organised by Forest Research Institute, Dehradun Uttarakhand and Wood Technologists Association, Yamunanagar on 22-23 July 2021. Wood Technologist Association along with plywood industry owners; Mr Rajesh Goel, Hari Om Timbers; Mr Kamal Jain, Arihant Wood Products; Mr Ashwani Kaushik, Grassim Plywood; Mr Shyam Sunder Aggrawal, Haploid Plyboards; Mr Subhash Jolly, President, Wood Technologist Association were present on the occasion.
During the interaction Scientist of FRI explained and showed their work and capacity on trees specially trees outside forest. Dr N K Upreti explained about ongoing research on Melia, Corymbia, Poplars and extension activities of agro forestry models and training to farmers. Visiting guests also gave advice on improvement programs and were keen on training industry entrepreneurs as well as farmers. Later the team visited a workshop of plywood and composite discipline. There Mr khali, Scientist G explained about the activities and also showed working of new press. He also told the gathering about training provided specially to the next generation of entrepreneurs as informal and hands-on training and also ongoing research by PhD and M.Sc. wood science and Technology students. They discussed technical details, shared their insights and promised for future collaboration with researchers of FRI. This was followed by field visits to the first and second generation gene bank of Melia
The next day Director General of ICFRE Mr Arun Singh Rawat along with Mr Subhash Jolly addressed the session during that time Mr Rawat emphasized that Melia is now the future of face veneer which can save billions worth of foreign exchange. He said that FRI has an ongoing program on other timbers species like Corymbia hybrids, Toona ciliata and Grevillea Robusta. After Melia, Corymbia hybrids are in an advanced stage to be launched in the field and after 3-4 years good genetic material of Toona, Gravelia and native poplars (Populus Gamblei) will be available for farmers and industry. DG expressed gratitude to Kumar Engineering Co for machine contribution and Mr Subhash Jolly for his continuous support.
An exclusive meeting with Sardar Amarjeet Singh ji, CEO, Tusker Machines, Yamunanagar, a Prominent Peeling machine manufacturer, Yamuna Nagar (Supplied 28 countries) has been held with DG ICFRE, Mr Subhash Jolly, Dr Upreti and all other members present where he shared his long experience of developing plywood machine with the gathering. He deeply interacted with various Senior Scientists of FRI from Wood Science, Genetics, Wood Composites and others on a range of aspects. He enquired on different aspects of Melia and Corymbia, and agreed to share his long experience with plywood machines. Selection and genetic testing of the species was explained to the group. It was also told that FRI alone sells more than 25 lakh seedlings of released varieties of Melia annually. It was also told to the group that so 25 lakh seedlings of released varieties of Melia annually. It was also told to the group that soon material will be supplied for testing for face veneer.
Along with other visitors he was very happy with systematic research on various aspects of Melia and other species. Seeing the progress, he agreed to donate and install one peeling lathe for veneering in FRI for analysis of Melia Dubia veneer for face and its commercial acceptance in the industry. The two days program ended successfully. The program was focused and very informative that on and both days participants continued to be up to 6:30 pm mostly in the field and lab taking knowledge and having discussion.