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Since 1995, OIPIC has carried out many reforestation projects with indigenous tree species, as a viable option to replace pine and eucalyptus species; regretfully, both these species have been brought into Paraguay and have spread almost as a plague: even tough they both show rapid growth, they are not advantageous for Paraguay in economic terms. In effect, in this case where there are no processing plants involved, export shipment costs surpass any possible earnings. To the contrary, Paraguay’s indigenous tree species are of extremely precious wood with a guarantied market and advantageous prices that justify their plantation at a large scale.Results from reforestation projects carried out were surprising. Even tough the general opinion at the beginning was less than encouraging, we obtained wonderful outcomes with growth rates superior than those expected, and in some cases even better than projects with pines or eucalyptus species. Plagues were controlled through mixed plantation methods, including the plantation of wild fruits to attract birds that are their natural enemies. .
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