Analysis of the potential of small-scale enterprises of artisans and sawyers as instruments for sustainable forest management in Puerto Rico

Small-scale forest enterprises have been recognized as a potential instrument for sustainable development. In particular, the production of handicrafts is a major form of cultural expression and a significant source of income in several developing countries. In this study, we characterize the local handicraft sector in Puerto Rico to identify essential elements for fostering small-scale forest enterprises. Artisans and sawyers were home-based microenterprises that harvested, processed, and traded a wide variety of local forest products, including 125 types of wood and several non-wood forest products. Nonetheless, severe competition from cheaper imported crafts, low demand, and high product variability hamper the development of the local handicraft sector. Despite globalization, sawyers and artisans in Puerto Rico, as part of the U.S., have access to the largest markets of tropical woods and home accessories in the world. But, to participate in these markets, they must increase competitiveness. Lack of institutional effectiveness is a major constraint for the success of the artisan development program in Puerto Rico. Therefore, cooperation and linkages between all support organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and associations of artisans, need to be enhanced to provide effective technical assistance, marketing, and financial services to artisans.

小型林业企业已被认定为推动可持续发展的潜在抓手。具体而言，手工艺品生产是诸多发展中国家重要的文化表达形式与核心收入来源。本研究以波多黎各当地手工艺品行业为研究对象，旨在明确培育小型林业企业所需的核心要素。当地工匠与锯木经营者均属于居家型微型企业，他们从事各类本土林产品的采伐、加工与贸易，涵盖125种木材以及多种非木材林产品（non-wood forest products）。然而，来自廉价进口手工艺品的激烈竞争、市场需求不足以及产品品质参差不齐，严重制约了当地手工艺品行业的发展。尽管身处全球化浪潮之中，作为美国自治领地的波多黎各，其锯木经营者与工匠仍可接入全球规模最大的热带木材与家居饰品市场，但要参与这些市场，他们必须提升自身竞争力。制度效能不足是波多黎各手工艺品发展项目取得成功的主要制约因素。因此，需加强包括政府机构、非政府组织以及工匠协会在内的所有支持机构间的合作与联动，以便为工匠提供切实有效的技术援助、市场营销与金融服务。