Chapter 5
Assisted Natural Regeneration

5.3 Labor and cost estimates for ANR

Appendix G shows tasks and estimated labor for a hectare of assisted natural regeneration, assuming that the site begins with 1000 woody plants/ha and no enrichment planting takes place. Labor for firebreaks establishment, pressing and ringweeding in Year One requires 49 person-days. Years Two and Three each require 31 person-days. Total labor for the three years is 111 person-days.

Cost savings of ANR in comparison to conventional reforestation can be roughly estimated by considering that a percentage of costs will be saved because of the stocking already on the site. For example, if 60% of the area already has adequate stocking and 40% of the area is planted, the costs for seedling production and outplanting will be reduced by 60%. Fire control, ringweeding and grass suppression costs would be about the same. In this example, ANR costs about 78% as much as conventional reforestation. However, that does not consider the differences in site preparation. ANR usually uses pressing and spot cultivation for enrichment planting. Conventional reforestation might use removal of existing brush vegetation followed by complete cultivation.

ANR demonstration (general expectations)

Carefully monitor the pressing and ringweeding of the first few hectares of an ANR project, to train participants and put a demonstration area in place that will attract attention. To press and ringweed 1 ha requires 15 person-days/ha. Three hired laborers and one extensionist experienced with ANR will form a good team to demonstrate ANR on 4 ha. Allowing time for weekends, holidays, and training for interested local farmers, implementation of ANR on this demonstration area will take about one month.