UNITED NATIONS
E.CONOMIC AND
SOCIAL COUNCIL
1TK cDi s tr„
LIMITED
Wj 0N.14/ AGRIP/ 5
/. Nc-v^^qj? 1769 Original: MGLI £E
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA Sectoral Meeting of the East
and Central African Countries on Agriculture
Nairobis 8-12 December 1969
DOCUMENTS OH.l
NLl NO TO BE TAKEN OUT
0?EE CO-ORDINATION OP FORESTHY FOREST INDUSTRIES DEVELCB4ENT
IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES
OF THE EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN SUX-REGIONS
M69-2718
E/CN.14/AGRIP/6
SUMMARY
This paper condenses relevant information on forestry
and forest industries of fourteen 7^stern and Central African countries which licve decided to establish a joint consultative committee on forestry development, It makes recommendations on the co-ordination of forestry and forest industries activ ities- the training of forestry personnel of all grades, and the performance of forestry and forest industries research.\ ■
li -
E/CN.14/AGRIP/6
The co-ordination of forestry and forest industries development in certain Eastern and Central African States
Fourteen Eastern and Central African countries l/ recently recommended
"the establishment of a joint consultative and implementation committee on
forestry development, in order to initiate, among other things, a regional
programme of action to promote the development of timber, wood products and paper manufacturing industries". In this paper, an attempt is made tocondense the relevant available information on the forestry and forest industries sectors of the fourteen countries, and to make recommendations for the future co-ordination of forestry and forest industries development in the group.
The forest resource
The countries cover an area which extends southwards from the Tropic
of Cancer to about 18° south of the Equator, and eastwards from about 12° E,
longitude to 52° E. Not surprisingly, there are wide climatic, soil andtopographic variations within the group. This diversity in ecological conditions is, of course, reflected in the natural vegetation of the area9 which ranges from arid Sahel and Sudan savannahs to lush, closed tropical high forests.
Although this extreme and often frequent variation in forest types makes analysis of the forest potential of the group somewhat difficult,
the differing ecological conditions indicate that certain countries possess comparative physical advantages over others in their ability to produce forest crops, and that there is the possibility for forestry specialization within the group. Table 1 gives the areas of broad forest types by country.
Table 1 : Area of forest types
Country
Natural closed high forest
Other natural
forest
Planta
tions Total
T000 hectares
Burundi - - 50 178 23 251
Central African
Republic - 2,200 57»800 1 60,001
- - - 16,000 1 16,001
Chad
l/ Burundi, Central African Republic9 Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), .Congo
(Dem. Rep. of), Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania,
Uganda, Zambia.E/CN.14/AGRIP/6 .
Page 2
Table 1 : Area of forest types (Contfd)
Country
Natural closed high forest
Other natural forest
Planta
tions Total
Congo (B) Congo (K)
Ethiopia Kenya Malawi Rwanda Somalia Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zambia
20,000 90,000 4,000 1,100 100 50 100 600 900 900
-
4,000 ' 39,081
353984
907 2,179 225 9;9OO 55,54034,379 8,387
37,6288 60 16 120
" 30
25
—
60 30
15
324,008 129,141 40,000 2,127
2,309
300 10,000 56,200 35,305 9,302
37,631
Total 120,000
302,184 392 422,576
Source : National Statistics and local data elaborated by PAO/ECA.
Because the natural closed high forest tends to have a high log content, it represents an extremely valuable resource. It will be noted, however, that most countries of the group are somewhat poorly endowed with this foresi.
type. Indeed Congo (K), Congo (B) and Ethiopia account for 95 per cent of
the area covered by these forests.
By contrast, the areas shown under other natural forests, though more extensive, very rarely yield industrial logs at present. Their r&le is essentially confined to the production of fuelwood and roundwood. However, in certain countries, those dry forests do provide industrial logs on a scale that is significant to the local economies. For example, much of the sawmilling in the Sudan is based on Isoberlinia doka which is found in-the savannahs; logs of Pterocarpus anp;elensi n are extracted from the myombo forests of Tanzania; and in Zambia Baikiaea pluri juga, a savannah species, provides what is perhaps the country's most important commercial timber.
Nevertheless, on the whole, the yield from these areas which have "been classified* as1 "other natural forests"' is extremely low.
Forest plantations of one sort or another exist in thirteen of the ., fourte.en countries of the group. However, KenyaTs plantations alone cover 30 per cent of tee entire area under man-made forests in the fourteen
countries, and the acreage of plantations in eight countries l/ ie so small
that together they account for less than 25 per cent of the total plantation
area.
l/ Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (B), Ethiopia, Rwanda,
Uganda, Zambia.
E/CN,i4/AGRIP/6
Page 3
Yet, the man-made forests are already supplying significant quantities . pf industrial timber in some countries, and are the- expected source of raw
material for most of the forest industries that it is planned to establish in various countries of the group. For example, in Kenya, these forests are the main source of sawlogs, and are to form the basis of their proposed pulp and paper industry; in the Sudan teak plantations provide a considerable amount of the locally produced saw-timber consumed in the country; in Ethiopia
plywood i.s manufactured from plantation grown Eucalyptus ^Icbulus; in Congo (k) the limba (Terminalia superba^ t>1 ur +p.ti<*>np yield logs which supplement
production from the natural forests^ and in Malawi, stands of Pinus patula on the Vipya plateau together with eucalyptus are to provide the raw material for an unbleached kraft pulp mill.
The plantations also supply poles and fuelwood for which there is often a great local demand in many countries of the group- In some countries this is the main function of man-made forests. For example, in Rwanda and Burundi, because of the inadequacy of the natural forests, the existing plantations are the chief source of these products.
The overall picture therefore is that while a few countries of the group possess abundant and rich natural forests, in others the natural forest resource base is not large or productive enough to supply them with the wood and wood products which they need. There is little doubt, however, that the physical conditions in many areas of most countries of the group are very favourable for tree' growth. Many countries are therefore trying
to increase the extent, and to improve the quality, of their forest resources by establishing -plantations.
These plantations .appear to have been-established with the primary objectives of supplying local demand and of exporting any surplus which might be obtained either to neighbouring countries or to-more distant markets. It appears, however, that little,if any,consideration has been given to any comparative advantage which might be possessed by one country over another in the production of the wood raw material. There is the possibility, therefore, that the scarce economic resources of the group may be frittered away in pursuing a policy of self-sufficiency, and"in the harmful competition which may arise as a result of this policy.
However, policy decisions concerning plantation establishment cannot be made in isolation, They must be examined against the background of, inter alia, the existing wood-using industries, the present and future requirements for wood products, and the present and future trade in wood products. Accordingly, suggestions for co-ordination in this field will be made after the available information on these related topics has bean examined*
Page 4
Forest' industries
In general, only the simpler primary wood conversion processes are performed in the countries of the group, and the development of this type of industry has to a large extent been conditioned by the supply (from either natural or artificial forests) of wood raw material in individual countries. Thus, although there are approximately 300 sawmills in the countries of the group, there are only 17 plywood and veneer factories, and 5 particle board mills. There are no pulp mills. Moreover, five countries 1/ account for over 200 of the sawmills, and six 2/ provide all
the plywood produced within the group.
Plywood and veneer production in most countries is based on wood supplies from the natural forests, and is essentially confined to a few species. However, a notable exception to this general rule is the Demo cratic Republic of the Congo, which utilizes a variety of species in its production of plywood and veneer. Most sawnwood is also produced from broadleaved species, although in Kenya and Ethiopia coniferous forests are the source of logs for conversion to lumber.
Table 2 shows the primary wood-using industries of the group.
Table 2 : Primary wood-using industries ;
Saw mills
(number)
Plywood
& veneer mills
(number)
Particle board mills
(number)
CountryBurundi — — 1 _
Central African
Republic - 9 _ _
Chad -
Congo (B) 18 4
Congo (K) 40 6 1
E thi o pi a - - 32 2 1
Kenya - 66 2
Malawi - - 5
Rwanda - — ]_ _
Somalia — — 1 _
Sudan - - ]_g _ -,
Tanzania - 64 g
Uganda - 30 1
Zambia - - 6 l - —
Total 289 17 5
Source ■ National statistics and local data elaborated by FAO/ECA.
1/ Congo (K), Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
2/ Congo (B), Congo (k), Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
E/CN.14/AG3IP/6
Page 5
Various types of paper (e.g., wrapping paper and paper board) are manufactured from waste'paper and/or imported'pulp in Ethiopia, Kenya, and .Uganda. In Ethiopia there is a small paper mill at Asmara which., utilizing paper as the raw material, produces, with extremely old equip ment, about 2 tons per day of cardboard cartons and wrapping paper. Some
times wheat straw is cooked. A new paper mill, which uses imported pulp, is now in operation at Wonji. It is planned to produce 7,500 tons annually,
in the first five years.
In Kenya there is a paper mill at Thika which produces between 2,000 and 3,000 tons per year. Paper conversion processing is well established in that country, boxes, bags, cartons, and printing supplies being produced
locally.
In Uganda, at Jinja, there is a paper mill with a capacity of 20 tons per day. It utilizes imported Kraft pulp for the manufacture of industrial
paper. As in Kenya, paper conversion is well established.
■ -'■■ -In Congo (K) there are. two small paperboard mills which process-
imported Kraft pulp. There are also two paper conversion units which manu facture sacks and one in which cartons are made. Waste paper is utilized
in these units.
Although the present position with regard to forest industries is
■primarily that of concentration of a few types of conversion processes in those countries that have natural high forests, or mature man-made forests, there appear to be extensive plans for the expansion of forest industries
in many countries of the group*.For example, a small fibreboard plant is under construction in Ethiopia to cover domestic demands. It is hoped, also, to integrate the operations
of the new paper mill at Wonji with a Kraft pulp mill which will utilizebagasse. It is expected that if this is done the .paper mill will produce
about 12,000 tons per year. ^It also seems that the1 Italians are interestedin. :the establishment in Ethiopia of a dissolving pulp mill for rayon pulp for the. export market.1 With this in mind a 40,000 acre site for the., establishment of eucalypt plantations is being investigated. Production
from the mill is expected to be about 45»OOO tons per year.In Kenya it is planned to establish a pulp mill at Broderick Palls
which will utilize the raw material produced by the -extensive plantationsof the country. It seems likely that this venture will be jointly financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Kenya Finance Development Corporation, and private interests. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has also.suggested the location of an
integrated fibreboard mill, sawmill, and wood wool board plant in Kenya to
supply Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.e/cn.h/agrip/6
Page 6
The erection of a pulp mill of one sort or another is being considered in Tanzania. Among the proposals is a mill which will utilize sisal> or a small mill located at Usuroburu and based on wood from the pine plantations
that are already established inland, or a large mill situated on the coast where plantation trials of pine are well under way.
In Zambia, an FAO expert is advising on the feasibility of locally manufacturing blockboard and particle board.
It is understood that a firm of American consultants has examined the feasibility of establishing a pulp mill in Malawi, and considers that it would be economic to establish an unbleached Kraft mill with a capacity
of 150 tons per day (50,000 tons per year) for the manufacture of industrial
papers such as sacks, wrapping and corrugating paper3 and liner board. It is thought that the excellent stands of Pinus patula on the Vipya plateau will yield sufficient wood to supply the mill by 1975-
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has recommended the establishment of a medium-sized fibreboard mill in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is expected that this Dill will supply fibreboard to
Congo (K), Congo (b), Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic
According to the long-term plan of the Ministry of Development of the Central African Republic, a new veneer plant is to be erected in the Hau+.e Sangha region. It is also planned to establish a plywood factory in Lobaye.
The forest industrialization "plans" of the group vary from those which are merely at the formulation stage to those which are so far advanced that construction of the relevant mills has already begun. There is little doubt also that many countries are considering other schemes to broaden their forest industrial base.
It is understood, for example, that Burundi has sought advice from URIDO on the establishment of a particle board mill, and that the same organization is examining the feasibility of a pulp and paper industry
based on eucalyptus in Conge (Brazzaville), and one based on papyrus in
Uganda.
It seems probable, however, that in deciding on the feasibility of various forest industries some of these countries have not taken into account the plans of other countries of the region. As a result, there appears to be the strong possibility, if all the plans come to fruition,
that the nearer export markets will be over-supplied with certain types of forest products. This may be so because many of the forest industries
that are planned are export-oriented. In order to examine this hypothesis
it will be necessary to consider the future demand/supply position not
only of countries in the group, but also those which are likely to be in competition with them, and those which seem to offer the most likely markets.
e/cn.u/agrip/6
Page 7
Table 3 : Forecast of- consumption of processed forest products, 1975
Country
Sawn timber
('000 m1
Plywood and
veneer
^'000 m3)
Particle board
' Pulp and paper Pireboard products
' -000 nut.) (!000 m.t.)
Central African Republic ' — Chad
Congo (B) - - Congo (K) -
Ethiopia - - Kenya ■*.■■■-
Malawi. —.
Tanzania,, - - Uganda - . - Zambia
30 18
41
430 74 162 40 132139 145
1 1 1 76 11 4 3 6
1 2 1 1 1
5
1 1 287 10
64
135
924
Total 1.211
49
14 11 162Source : Provisional Indicative World Plan for Agricultural Development to 1975 and 1985. FAO, Rome (Figures for Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia and the Sudan are not available)«,
Table 4 : Forecast of consumption of processed forest products, 1985
Country
Central African Republic Chad
Congo (B) Congo (K)
Ethiopia Kenya Malawi
Tanzania Uganda Zambia
Sawn Plywood Particle
timber and veneer board Fibreboard
Pulp and paper
products
('000
(J000 nut.)52 26 78O
64 115 269
61 200 216 2202 2 2 14 14 22
5
6 1215
1 l'O 6 3 1 1 3 6
1 4 2 1 2 10
2 1 12 53 21 117 10 25
16 49
Total 2,003 94 32 20 306
Source : Provisional Indicative World Plan for Agricultural Development to 1975 and 1985. FAO, Rome (Figures for Burundi, Rwanda,
Somalia, and the Sudan not available)-
Plywood and veneer
('000 m3)
100 108 9 4
—
5 5
Particle board
,. ('000 n.t,)
■ „
5
• ■
4-5
6 7Fibreboard
('000 m.t.)
—
3
—
—
—
E/CK,14/AGRIP/6
Page 8
Table 5 * Capacity of existing plywood, particle board and fibreboard mills
Country
Congo (B) Congo (K)
Ethiopia - -
Kenya - -
Sudan - -
Tanzania -
Uganda -
Total 231 22.5 3
Source 5 World Production Capacities Plywood, Particle Board and Fibre- board 1966-1969. FAO Committee on Wood-Based Panel Products,
■■ ' - FAO, Rome, 1968O - ■ • •
It will be noted that the estimated consumption of plywood and veneer
for ten of the countries of the group, hy 1975? is 49?OOO m-3*If the
liberal assumption is made that the four countries for which estimates are not available will consume a further 25 per cent of the forecasted amount, then the total consumption of plywood and veneer for all the countries of
the group should be 61?25O m3 by 1975* By 1985 the total consumption should
be of the order of 117*500 *n• However, the capacity of the existing ply
wood and veneer mills is 231,000 m3. It therefore seems that if all these
mills work at anywhere near capacity there will be a considerable surplus available' for export to markets outside the boundaries of the group.
This is not necessarily a situation which should give rise to complacen The new veneer plant in th« Central African Republic is eTeoted to go into operation-by ITTQj find it is thought that in the initial ye^o it «in v-.—3-*'
about 2,500 m^ per year; the plywood mill at Lobaye is expected to produce 5,000 nw per year. Moreover other African countries, particularly on the West coast, either already possess, or plan the establishment of, plywood and veneer mills. These countries,wi'^1 no doubt compete in the same "extern al" markets as the countries of the group. Therefore, although world demand for plywood is expanding l/ it mignt be advisable for the countries of the group to pause for a moment in the implementation of their plans, and review
the position with regard to plywood and veneer, for the "internal" markets
do not appear at present to offer bright prospects of further expansion*l/ It has been forecasted that by 1975 world demand for plywood would
exceed supply; but-by 1985 demand and supply would be in balance.Provisional Indicative World Plan for Agricultural Development to 1975
and 1985, FAO, Rome. .. .
E/CN.14/AGRIP/6
Page 9
The particle board and fibreboard situation seems to "be slightly-
different, at least in the long run. If again we assume that the four
countries for which there are no .data will consume a further 25 per centof the amount forecasted for the" 10 remaining countries* then total con
sumption of particleboard will be 17,500 metric tons in 1975, and 40,000 _metric tons-in 1985. The existing capacity is 22,500 metric tons. There fore there should be an exportable surplus of over 5,000 metric tons per year, from within the group, until about 1975. Thereafter, internal demand should be higher than existing capacity and there will be room for expansion,, Whether it will be economic to expand is another point. The existing
capacity for fibreboard is only 3,000 metric tons per year, but the estimated consumption for ten countries for 1975 and 1985 is 11,000 metric tons and 20,000 metric tons respectively. It therefore seems that the area can
accommodate a limited number of more fibreboard mills.It must be remembered, however, that fibreboard, particle board and plywood may, to a great extent, serve as substitutes for each other.
Accordingly, the entire wood-based panel situation should be examined, so that the danger of over-supply may be avoided.
It is estimated that the present capacity of the paper and paper board mills in the group is approximately 30,000 metric tons per year. If all
the plans for the erection of paper mills are implemented an additional supply of about 260,000 metric tons per year will be available by I975-I98O.
975 and 1985 forecasts of paper and paper board consumption for ten countries is 162,000 metric tons and 306,000 metric tons per year respec tively, If the other four countries are considered, the total demand in 1975 would be 202,500 metric tons and 382,500 metric tons in 1985. This implies that in the short run there may be an excess of production and markets will have to be sought outside the group. However, by 1985 local demand would exceed the planned supply.
It has been estimated that the consumption of sawn wood in 1975, for ten countries, will be about 1,211,000 m3, and in 1985, 2,003,000 ml If all the countries of the group are1 considered, the estimated consumption for 1975 and I985 would be about 1,514,000 m3 and 2,504,000 m3 respectively.
J»o reliable data are available with regard to the capacity of the existing sawmills. It is well known, however, that most of the mills operate■below capacity. This is due partly to inefficient production practices, partly to occasional fluctuations in the export market for sawn wood, and partly to low domestio consumption in some areas of some of the countries of the
group.
In the absence of information on the saw-milling capacity of the whole
of the group, it might be useful to examine the sawlog supply position in
order to determine if any general conclusions may be arrived at on the
possible future expansion of saw-milling. ■
Page 10
Table. 6 : Sftwlog supply ('000
Broadleaved J^ogs
1975 1985 ConiferouT"l7^' 975 1985"
Central African
Congo (B)
Ethiopia Kenya ' Malawi Tanzania Uganda Zambia1,180
45
l66
449
1,968
^
2
Total
2,589
about about
3,714
d ,that ^a1975 the total volui?e of
, and in 1985 about 5,425,000 mV If
135 434
40154
43 30336
211
643
140 405 192 120
1,711
cent be
d?n l^and f^, ^ o^hfS ^ill be
oon ™3 5 an^.19n85 Wl11 be of the order of 1,713,000 m3 and
,000 mj> respectively. This implies that between 1975 and 1985 and
K«! «ST5- s^ SHSC
-, an over-simplification of the situation. In the
StetSn:^.1^,?!!!!^0" Of th*.^11*W- «"<*. will be coniferous,
:: r is "
have been established in
""*** iS soatte^d ^ diffuse. This
countries which are
have little difficul external markets, those
plantations in order to produce sawloga may ing in both local and external markets.
their sawn wood in the local group and
"?°h Pla" t A *eir s°^^
Problems of marketPage 11
This survey of forestry and forest industries has taken what may be described as "a. birdTs eye view" of the situation in the countries of the group as a whole. However, it is possible, if the existing trans portation system within the group, the location of the existing and planned forests and forest industries, and the costs of transporting forest products from one area to another are considered, that there may be local conditions of over-supply and local shortages which are not revealed in this broad study.
Conclusions and recommendations on forestry and forest industries development
It seems that most countries are either unaware of the forestry and forest industries activities and plans of other countries of the group, or deliberately choose to ignore them. Moreover, little notice, if any, has been taken of the effect of timber production and forest industrializa
tion in such countries as Madagascar, Reunion, and Swaziland. As a result, not only are many of them pursuing a policy of self-sufficiency in forest .products, but they also plan to create, or have already created, surpluses which they intend to export, mainly to each other. It is possible, there
fore, that a few countries may find that the extent of their forest planta tions, and the capacity of the mills they plan to establish might exceed the requirements of both internal and external markets.
Fortunately, the situation is still to some extent controllable, for in general the production capacity of existing forest resources, and conver sion plant is at present, if the countries are considered as a groups below the present and foreseeable requirements.. It is the haphazard and unco ordinated nature of future plans which causes concern.
It is therefore recommended that a working party of the fourteen
countries should be set up immediately to exchange information on afforesta tion and reforestation plans, and on projected forest industries establish
ment. Because there is a possibility (if all the plans are implemented)
of an excess of supply over demand for paper and paper board in the short run, and a possibility of a short fall in supply of these products, in the long rutii consideration should be given to the phasing of the establishment of these industries.
Also, because of the general inter-changeability of the various, panel board products, and the possibility of a local over-supply of plywood, but a shortage of particle board and fibreboard, there should be a :ce.-examina tion of existing plans, and r, thorough study of the extra-group markets for plywood, so that co-ordinated action may be taken.
The sawnwood situation hinges mainly on the acceptance of softwoods in the local market, and on the provision of better marketing facilities so that lumber may reach the scattered population groups. Softwood lumber should therefore be seasoned and treated with preservatives before sale-
e/CN.14/AGEIP/6t
Page 12It should also be a .legal-recrement thai these treatments he carried out. Individual countries.might.also consider the establishment of timber depots in selected areas. ' It might also be desirable, in afforestation and reforestation programmes, to consider the possibility °? establishing fast growing, hardwoods in areas where this is ailviculturally feasible.
What changes should ce made in tne plantation programmes ox the countries of the group will depend upon how the forest industrialization plane are re-oriented. It therefore follows that those plantation program mes should be co-ordinated and adjusted in the light of decisions arrived at on the future growth of forest industries. East and Central Africa
havereached the stage at which planning for forest industries should precede
the expansion of production forests.
Education and research
The success of forestry and forest industries development programmes depends to a great extent upon the number and type of personnel who adminis ter and manage these programmes, and on the quality and direction of research which is undertaken. Table 7 shows the present number of professional and
sub-professional staff in some countries of the group, and FAO-s estimate of the manpower required by 1985 if the countries are to develop fully their
forestry potential.
Table 7 : Present staffing position and estimated requirements for 1983
Present position
1985
Country
Profess- Sub-profess- P::ofess~ Sub-profess^
ional ional ional ional
Burundi
Central African Republic Chad
Congo (B) Congo (K)
Ethiopia
Kenya -
Malawi -
Rwanda
Somalia -
Sudan -
Tanzania
Uganda -
Zambia
n. a n. n,a
2 4 3 4 31 12
._
2
35
22 21 267 10 20
25
30 2^2 110
n-.a-.
7 250 290
155 93
39 21 48 161 93 li' ? 40
n. a*
n.a, n.a.
83 54
61194 93 231 871 457
589
207. n.a.
n.a- n.a«
433276
295 Source : National statistics and local data elaborated by FAO.
"Needs and problems of forestry education in Africa" -^Secretariat Note, African Forestry Commission, second session (Lome, 20-25
January 1969)•
E/CN.14/AGRIP/6
Page 13
It will be seen that in all countries the difference between the available manpower and the estimated future requirements is extremely- great. Moreover, in many countries the proportion of serving foreign
forest officers is very high. For example, it is understood that in
Malawi all the professional staff in forestry are expatriates. In Zambia and Ethiopia there is only one local professional, and in Uganda about half the number of professional officers are from overseas.There is an obvious need, therefore, for the training of local
personnel at the professional level. The demand'for the grade of officer seems to justify the establishment of at least two forestry schools - one
for English-speaking countries and another for those whose official language
is French. It is expected that most of the former would use the facilitiesof the Department of Forestry which is now in the process of being set up
atMakerere University in Uganda. There is at present no professionalforestry school in the French-speaking countries of the group, but the University of Lovanium, which is situated at Ndjili in Congo (k) , appears
to possess the necessary infrastructure for the establishment of a Faculty of Forestry for the francophone countries of the group.
Eight countries of the group1- Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia - have schools at which sub-professional
forestry personnel are trained. The establishment of similar schools seems justified for Ethiopia, Congo (B) and Congo (k). It is possible also that such a step may be warranted in the Central African Republic. However, the demand for sub-professional forestry officers does not appear to be high
enough to justify the establishment of sub^professional forestry schoolsin Chad and Somalia- It is therefore suggested that these countries should
arrange to have this grade of officers trained in those neighbouring countrieswhich possess the necessary facilities and in which the official language
is the same as their own.Very little training, if any, is given at the vocational level to forest workers in the countries of the group. Yet, if productivity is to be increased and forest operations made more eificient, workers should be taught the
various techniques that are relevant to their conditions and operations.
Here the sub-regional approach seems to promise the greatest rewards. Short training courses should be offered on a sub-regional basis to forest worker
instructors, who on completion of their training would return to their countries to instruct their own forest workers.It appears that in most countries of the group, forest research is not
designed to solve present and future management problems. This general
absence of purposeful orientation is compounded, in many instances, by the
fact that the volume of forestry activity in individual countries does not
always justify the establishment of costly research institutions. It seems
evident, therefore, that a fruitful field for the co-ordination of operations
and for co-operation between countries is that of research.
Page 14
The varying ecological conditions within the group often pose
research problems. It might therefore be advisable to relate forest bio logical research to three broad ecological zones: the savannahs of the northern countries of the group, those of the eastern and central countries»
and the high forest.
There is already a Forest Hesearch Institute in the Sudan. This Institute, which has been joi-ntly established by the Sudanese Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization seems well organized to tackle successfully, the biological problems of establishing and maintaining .forests in the northern savannahs.' The Forestry Division of EAAFRO, in Kenya, because of its location and because of its experience in, regional research, is perhaps in the best position to undertake research on those aspects of forestry that are concerned with improving the productivity of
the eastern and central savannahs of the group. If research in these areas is to be both effective and comprehensive, it will be necessary to expand
the activities of EAAFRO and to strengthen its forestry staff. Congo (K)?
on physico—biological grounds, seems to be the ideal country in the group on which to base "high forest" research. Apart from its extensive natural forests, the country possesses sizable areas of plantations. Moreover, a considerable amount of forest research has been conducted in the country in- the past, and this is well ^documented. It may therefore be possible
to re-activate research plots and to resume some of the work which has lapsed during the last few years. It is true that very little forest
research is being undertaken in Congo (k) at present, and that there is
a dearth of trained research personnel. In addition, the reported absence of forest research facilities in the form of buildings and hardware will
undoubtedly be a critical handicap. Nevertheless, on balance, Congo (&)
seems a suitable centre for the "high forest" research activity of the
group.
It must be emphasized that it is not being advocated that all forest biological research should be conducted at EAAFRO and in the Sudan and
Congo (K). It is inevitable, because of varying local conditions, that
investigations be carried out in particular areas of particular countries.
Indeed, much important and valuable research is being undertaken, and should continue, in such countries as. Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda
and .Zambia. However, the research institutes in Congo (K), Kenya, and
Sudan should exercise a co-ordinating function over the three broad zone*?
of forestry research.
At present emphasis in forestry research is on biological problems.
The future, development of forestry and forest industries necessitates a wider approach. More attention should be paid to research on timber utilization, forest industries, and the economics of forestry and forest industries.. Three countries have attributes which make them suitable for
the establishment of a forest products research institute for the group, Tanzania possesses primary wood—using industries which compare favourably
E/CN.14/AGRIP/6
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in number and quality with other countries of the group, and already has a utilization research unit which could serve as a nucleus for the expanded organization that is now being considered. Research on timber mechanics
is already being conducted in Kenya at the Engineering Department of its University College in Nairobi, and it may be advisable to utilize the
existing facilities for regional research. The Forest Department of Uganda is research oriented, and in that country there are sizable forests of both softwood and hardwoods. It is difficult, therefore, to recommend any
particular country, and the group may wish to make a decision on this matter.
Forest economists should be attached to all four of the research institutes that have been suggested.
A forestry and forest industries research committee should be established in order to ensure that research is development-oriented. This committee should formulate a research policy for the countries of the group, deoide
on priorities and plan a research strategy.Conclusions and recommendations on forestry education and research The dearth of local professional forest officers throughout the countries of the group can be a decisive factor in the development of
forestry and forest industries. It is therefore recommended that countries of the group make every effort to train personnel to the professional level in forestry5 that the facilities of Makarere College, Uganda, be utilized by English-speaking countries; and that a Faculty of Forestry be set up at the University of Lovanium in Congo (k) for French-speaking countries.
Sub-professional education should be given, wherever possible, locally.
Schools appear to be justified, and should be established, in Sthiopia, Congo (B) and Congo (K). Central African Republic may also need a local school. Sub-professional training for the sub-professional grades of forester in Burundi, Chad, Rwanda and Somalia should be obtained from
neighbouring countries,
Sub-regional training courses for forest-worker instructors should be organized. These instructors should return to their countries to give
vocational training to forest workers-Three regional forest biological research institutes should be estab lished in the Sudan, Kenya and Congo (k). These institutes should con centrate on the forestry production problems of the northern savannahs, the eastern and central savannahs, and the high forest, respectively.
*
