Currently, Sri Lanka is involved in a number of international collaborative initiatives, such as the International Neem Network, Asia Pacific Agroforestry Network (APAN), Regional Wood Energy Development Programme (RWEDP), UNDP/FAO Regional Project on improved productivity of man-made forests in tree breeding and propagation (FORTIP), IUFRO, Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institution (APAFRI) and Teaknet.
• International Neem Network
The National Focal Institute (NFI) in Sri Lanka for the International Neem Network is the FD. The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya is a major collaborator with the FD in carrying out the activities planned under this network. Activities that are undertaken include identification, documentation, collecting and distribution of seeds of local provenances. Some of the seeds of different provenances collected have been documented and dispatched to other foreign network collaborators.
• Asia Pacific Agroforestry Network (APAN)
The National Focal Point for APAN in Sri Lanka is the FD while the Faculty of Agriculture, Peradeniya University, participates in the activities planned under the network. The activities implemented under this network are, coordination of mechanisms for agroforestry research and development, information sharing and exchange, agroforestry training and field demonstrations.
• National Forestry Research Committee and MPTS research committee
The National Forestry Research Committee and MPTS research committee coordinate agroforestry research activities in Sri Lanka.
• Regional Wood Energy Development Programme (RWEDP)
The FD is the national focal point for this programme and is instrumental in the establishment of the National Coordinating Mechanism of Sri Lanka whose chairman is the Conservator General of Forests. Through the networking activities of this project, Sri Lanka has obtained assistance to mobilize national efforts and strengthen inter-institutional linkages for wood energy planning. The project secretariat provided information through technical materials, publications and the Wood Energy Newsletter.
The assistance provided by the project includes development of syllabi and training materials for community forestry for training institutions, training materials for RRA for community forestry and publicising a report on social forestry in integrated rural development and wood energy status in Sri Lanka.
• UNDP/FAO Regional Project on Improved Productivity of Man-made Forests in Tree Breeding and Propagation (FORTIP)
Under this programme seed production areas were established for Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus microcorys, and clonal seed orchards were established for teak. In addition, identification of Swietenia macrophylla stands for seed production under a Species Improvement Network (SPIN) was conducted.
• IUFRO, Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institution (APAFRI) and Teaknet
The FD continues to be a member of IUFRO, APAFRI and Teaknet.
The following regional and international collaborations are proposed:
• A sound germplasm exchange programme should be developed.
• Facilities should be arranged to obtain proven provenances from international provenance trials.
• Scientists, researchers and managers should be given opportunities to visit trials and other sites in the region and to exchange views and experiences.
• Suitable training programmes should be developed particularly for researchers.
• A web site should be created to get more information about genetic conservation and improvement in the region.
• Assisting in getting financial support from donor agencies for the development of appropriate FGR conservation techniques.
• Development of a network of researchers for information exchange.
• Organising scientific seminars and workshops to disseminate research results.
