Forestry planning and development project : mid-term evaluation

Second interim evaluation covers the period 9/87-9/91. The present status of the project is good. Excellent progress has been made over the past 4 years due to the high degree of cooperation among USAID/P, provincial governments, and the TA team. The project has been especially successful in eliciting the participation of private individuals; over 60,000 tree plantations have been established by farmers and landowners, and over 2,400 farmer operated nurseries have been established. However, it appears that the main beneficiaries of the project have been influential, well-off, and large landowners and farmers. In addition, although studies of forest product industries have indicated that there is market potential for the wood being produced on the plantations, little harvesting and marketing technology is available to the plantation owners. Farm and energy forest research have not been farmer oriented nor concentrated enough on production alternatives for farmers and landowners; for example, 80%-90% of all trees privately produced and planted are eucalyptus. Future research should focus on species trials, establishment of seed orchards, and tree/crop/livestock interaction, as well as on the formation of wood-based industries through appropriate technology. Despite the progress made in the training of project staff, managers, trainers, researchers, and extension agents, the training component has numerous shortcomings, such as a poor selection process, inadequate attention to sociological aspects, and gaps in the curricula. Most importantly, advanced degree training has fallen so far behind schedule that it will be impossible to achieve original targets. It is suggested that training programs be modified or redesigned to make optimum use of the remaining time to address key issues; the establishment of the training cells should be a top priority. In general, the project is making excellent progress towards establishing an institutional capacity to support forestry activities in Pakistan, and towards promoting positive and beneficial attitudes and relationships within the relevant communities. However, the focus on physical output targets -- number of trees in the ground, biomass production, etc. -- draws attention away from other, equally important issues such as environmental conservation/enhancement and institution building.