Community-level forestry development : options and guidelines for collaboration in PL-480 programs

This report identified optimal implementation conditions for community-level forestry activities supported by P.L. 480 Food for Work. First, the role Peace Corps volunteers play in the new P.L. 480 community-level forestry initiative is recognized. Two types of PCV"s, foresters and management coordinators, are recommended. By providing technical support to nursery and tree planting activities, the volunteers will enhance ongoing and planned FFW/forestry projects. The authors explore possibilities for collaboration among Peace Corps, USAID. PVO"s, the World Food Programme, and host governments. Second, a comprehensive list of guidelines for sustainable forestry development at the community level through FFW projects is outlined. The guidelines generally focus on certain socioeconomic, technical, and organizational considerations that must be met in food-assisted forestry projects. Two of the most important are: (1) FFW community forestry projects should be located in lower risk climatic zones because experience gained will be beneficial to similar projects in marginal areas; and (2) to have a productive and stable labor force, FFW projects must be located in food deficit areas where there are few employment opportunities. Annexes provide detailed reports on seven Africa countries which are implementing FFW projects: Ghana, Senegal, Niger, Rwanda, Kenya, Somalia, and Lesotho. (Author abstract, from PN-ABM-455)