Future possibilities for long-term business cooperation between private forest owners and forest service providers in Slovenia

Abstract

Private forest ownership, with small and fragmented forest properties prevailing in Europe, is affected by demographic, economic and social changes as well as by forest-related policy goals. This is reflected in the lack of knowledge about forest management, insufficient forest management and underutilization of forest resources. Considering that, business cooperation between private forest owners and with forest service providers or managers is recognized as one of the key instruments to increase the efficiency of private forest management. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a potential for further development of forest lease as form of long-term business cooperation. In this research, interviews (n=8) were conducted with tenants who have signed long-term forest lease contracts with private forest owners in Slovenia. The results show that there are limited possibilities for further development of long-term business cooperation between private forest owners and forest service providers/managers (e.g. forest lease). The results indicate that there are many benefits of long-term business cooperation for both sides, but private forest owners’ interest is questionable. If we want long-term business cooperation (forest lease) to succeed, forest lease should be recognized in legislation, education about business cooperation (forest lease) should be given to public forest service employees, so they could promote forest lease and provide information to private forest owners. In addition, a connection between potential business partners should be established and examples of good practice should be promoted to gain trust between business partners, which could increase private forest owners’ interest and consequently improve private forest management and utilization of forest resources from private forests.