Isna, Oleiros, 18 May 2023 (Notícias do Centro) – Notícias do Centro reported on the trials testing the viability of resin tapping in a pine stand in the parish of Isna, in the municipality of Oleiros, where resin tapping was a major activity until the early 1980s.
The first pines tapped
The trials are being carried out by the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), together with Raízes In, within the 37-entity consortium coordinated by CoLAB ForestWISE. After fuel was cleared from the study area, the first 60 of a total of 200 pines were tapped. UTAD researcher Maria Emília Silva explains that Oleiros was chosen for the experience of its former resin tappers and the quality of its maritime pine stands.
Income for forest owners
Marco Ribeiro, head of Raízes In, recalls that Portugal was a world leader in resin production until the 1980s and estimates an income of 300 to 400 euros per hectare per year for owners, without reducing the value of the timber. The project is also testing new collection containers that keep out dust and pine needles. Miguel Marques, vice-mayor of Oleiros, sees resin tapping as a source of income and a contribution to good forest management.
Labour shortages are one of the challenges identified, and around 120 resin tappers are due to be trained. Similar trials are under way in pine stands in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Nazaré, Cantanhede and Amareleja, within the RN21 Integrated Project – Innovation in the Natural Resin Value Chain to Strengthen the National Bioeconomy, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) – Component 12 – Promotion of the Sustainable Bioeconomy, and co-financed by the Environmental Fund.
Originally published in Notícias do Centro.