ELMINA RAINFOREST KNOWLEDGE CENTRE: The Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (Alliance), in partnership with the UK Mission to ASEAN, officially launched the Seed to Tree project on 11 March 2025. This initiative aims to enhance seed supply for large-scale forest restoration through a comprehensive restoration toolkit, ensuring the right species and seeds are selected for the right sites in both present and future climate conditions.
The launch event was officiated by Datuk Dr. Ching Thoo A/L Kim, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, who delivered the opening speech. Distinguished guests included Hon. Catherine West MP, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and His Excellency David Wallace, Acting High Commissioner (Chargé d’Affaires) at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including state and non-state restoration actors, representatives from the British High Commission and FCDO, and members of the Orang Asli community, who play a crucial role in strengthening seed value chains.
In his address, Dr. Ching emphasized the importance of the Seed to Tree project in supporting Malaysia’s conservation efforts. He highlighted that the project is not just about planting trees but about planting a future—one that strengthens biodiversity and builds climate resilience for generations to come. He also underscored Malaysia’s commitment to nature-based climate solutions, referencing the successful early completion of the National 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign, amendments to the Forestry Act, and the upcoming Climate Bill, all of which align with ASEAN’s regional conservation goals.
Minister West emphasized the project’s impact as a model of UK-Malaysia collaboration, particularly in integrating Indigenous communities into climate action. She noted that climate responses must include Indigenous peoples and local communities for them to be truly effective. Ignoring their wisdom, she warned, would be a grave mistake. She expressed particular satisfaction that the project supports Orang Asli livelihoods and recognizes their heritage as custodians of the forests, including the crucial role of women. Closing her remarks, she referenced an old saying that the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, and the second-best time is today. She stressed that this is exactly what the project seeks to do—planting seeds today for the trees of tomorrow.
Following Minister West’s speech, guests enjoyed a traditional nose flute performance by Encik Raman Bah Tuin, a member of the Semai tribe.
Dr. Riina Jalonen, Project Lead for Seed to Tree, highlighted the challenges in Malaysia’s forest restoration seed supply systems, comparing them to other ASEAN nations. She pointed out that the lack of high-quality tree seeds for restoration is a global issue, affecting Malaysia as well. Citing international studies, she noted that nearly 50% of restoration practitioners report difficulty accessing the right species, forcing them to use fewer or alternative species than originally planned. Strengthening seed supply networks, she emphasized, will be crucial for large-scale forest restoration. The Seed to Tree project seeks to address this by improving market access, fostering research-driven innovations, and developing a comprehensive restoration toolkit that ensures the selection of climate-resilient tree species.
The project also focuses on enhancing monitoring, reporting, and verification tools to track restoration value chains from seed collection to planting. Strengthening seed supply chains will improve predictability and support ground-level restoration efforts. A key component is fostering partnerships with Indigenous communities and forest-dependent groups to increase the availability of high-quality native seeds while also creating jobs and generating income for these communities.
Dr. Dzaeman Dzulkifli, Executive Director of TRCRC, emphasized the need for a holistic approach to reforestation beyond focusing solely on a few ‘champion species.’ While some species receive significant attention, he explained, the entire ecosystem and its biodiversity must be protected. He also highlighted the role of technology in restoration efforts, noting that local partners must have access to the best available tools, such as Diversity for Restoration and MyFarmTrees (MFT). Making this data accessible, he stressed, is key to effective restoration.
Concluding the event, Dr. Dzaeman issued a call for collaboration, inviting stakeholders to join the upcoming multi-stakeholder platform for Seed to Tree. He underscored that forest restoration cannot happen in silos, emphasizing the need for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and long-term commitment. He welcomed all interested parties to join in shaping the future of forest restoration in Malaysia and ASEAN.
Since its inception, Seed to Tree has engaged 21 non-state actors, 60 Indigenous representatives, and 11 government agencies. A key milestone has been the identification of 364 native tree species, sourced through databases and direct consultations with Jahai, Temiar, and other Indigenous communities. This ensures that restoration efforts integrate both scientific research and Indigenous ecological knowledge, strengthening Malaysia’s forest resilience.
