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PLANS AND PROGRAMMES
TAFORI has two programmes namely: Support and Research Programmes
Operational Priorities
Prior to 1980, Government
funded forest research focused on Silvicultural and Utilisation Research.
In the advent of energy problems notably: fuelwood shortages in rural areas,
environmental degradation manifested as desertification, an increased need for soil
and water conservation; the need to overhaul research programmes such that these
pressing problems are brought to the fore, was obvious.
There is also the need of articulating the Institute’s list of operational
priorities since this underlines the sequence of operations, and gives some clues
as to how resources are to be channelled.
The priorities are:
* Earmarking research areas and needs,
* Training Researchers,
* Building basic infrastructure at Morogoro, the permanent headquarters,
* Strengthening research centres,
* Disseminating research results, and
* Consolidating income-generating activities.
These aspects were elaborated in the support programme that forms part of the Forestry Research Masterplan 1993 – 2002. Realisation of these priorities was modest.
RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
Due to issues, opportunities and challenges emerging from socio-economic, policy and environmental developments, the first National Forestry Research Masterplan 1993 – 2002 was reviewed again in consultation with stakeholders leading to a National Forestry Research Master Plan (NAFORM) 2000 – 2009). The NAFORM consists of six prioritized research programmes namely
*
Management of Natural Forests
*
Community and Farm Forestry
*
Plantation Forestry and Tree Improvement
*
Forest Resource Assessment
*
Forest Operations and Utilisation
*
Socio-economics, policy and Forestry Extension
MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL FORESTS
This programme aims at developing sustainable management and conservation systems for Tanzania natural forests. Four ecological systems namely montane forests, the miombo woodlands, mangroves and riverine forests are involved.
COMMUNITY AND FARM FORESTRY
This programme aims at conserving the country’s natural resources, ameliorating the environment and contributing to sustainable production of food, fodder, and fuelwood by the economically disadvantaged rural and peri-urban communities.
The programme also aims at Surveying different ecological zones to identify biologically and economically viable farm forestry practices based on sustainability of food and wood production; and on farm research emphasizing on the use of indigenous species.
PLANTATION FORESTRY AND TREE IMPROVEMENT
The programme aims at generating technologies to secure sustained production of major plantation indigenous and exotic tree species for given end uses. The strategy underlying this programme is to support forest industries by large scale planting using genetically improved planting material.
FOREST RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
This programme aims at enhancing national capacity to collect, compile and disseminate reliable and accurate information and statistics on tree and forest resources for both local and international needs.
FOREST OPERATIONS AND UTILISATION
The programme aims at promoting harvesting practices that will improve standards of utilisation and reduce adverse environmental impacts. Besides, it strives to develop technologies for improved utilisation of trees and forest resources.
SOCIO-ECONOMICS,POLICY AND FORESTRY EXTENSION
This programme aims at improving forest policy and decision-making for establishment, management and conservation of forest resources for social and economic development of Tanzania.
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