| European Tropical Forest Research Network |
Discussion summary: Policy aspects of degradation
| By Mohamed Elfadl |
a) National and international policies: None too soon, an international (mainly African) scientific movement has begun taking shape in response to the pervasive poverty widespread in SSA. However, for several decades, policies related to natural resources management and poverty reduction strategies have been influenced by some misconceptions. Of course, poverty has many causes, but lack of policies that stimulate improvement in management practices that recognises the synergies between production and environment has worsened the situation of people living in both tropical rainforest and dryland forests. The high population pressure in the drylands have been repeatedly mentioned as a factor to accelerate destruction of natural forests that eventually lead to land degradation. Policies that concentrate on short-term actions and reflect crisis management are no more effective and sustainable. Exposure and vulnerability of rural communities, heavy dependence on rainfed agriculture and exposure to intermittent occurrence of prolonged drought, complex land tenure system, conducive policy centred on enabling environment in all sectors particularly reform programmes at the macro-economic level and agricultural sector (including forestry and livestock) investment programmes, for effective innovation in and implementation of management practices, holistic approach to rural development and the rural economy need to be clearly addressed and solved within policy processes.
The issue of the capability of foresters to handle the complex situations where there are human dimensions involved was again brought back to the discussion. A call for deviation from the classical and traditional concepts of forest management to ways and means to alleviate poverty and to improve livelihoods and environment to the local poor communities was raised. Also, the partners and colleagues from other sectors such as agriculture, livestock husbandry, rural development, water resources, etc are not contributing to this discussion so as to know their opinions. Very important questions were raised for the discussion pertinent to both national and international policies on drylands, they need to be looked to in depth because their discussion will provide a better forum for insight into formulation of better policies.
Questions
b) Impact on livelihoods: The capability of foresters to deal with issues and complexities related to dryland rehabilitation and development was discussed. It is also discussed from the point of view of improvement of curricula so as to equip forester with the knowledge not to restrict them from working in areas very close to their field. Foresters as leaders in rural development was advocated and emphasised. In addition, lack of multidisciplinary approach and weak institutional capacity were mentioned as elements that need to be strengthened. Two main strategies of the four- mentioned as pillars for poverty reduction were discussed in their relation to land tenure, marketing channel improvement, and pricing policy. In general, they are mainly concerned with improvement and promotion of both agricultural and livestock sectors. The discussion is very much linked with policy issues, since policies are seen as a driving force for many of the legislation and influencing the selection among available management options. In order to analyse the complex processes involved in poverty alleviation and to give a comprehensive assessment, the answers to these questions beside help in developing specific proposals and recommendations for support of livelihoods, perhaps raise everybody's expectations about the likely aggregate level of co-operation and sensing the value of the e-discussion.
Questions