Strategic Plan for the Forest Sector.

In order to contribute to a balanced development through economic growth and promotion of ecological values, the government of Rwanda has elaborated a strategic plan for the forest sector for the period of 2009-2012. The vision of the forest sector is that through sound forest management, forest resources will play increased roles in national economy and biodiversity conservation and current benefits from forests enjoyed by contemporary generation will be enhanced to ensure that the well-being of the future generation is not compromised.
The national forestry strategy will pursue the same overall goal of the forest policy which is "to make the forestry sector one of the bedrocks of economy and national ecological balance for sustainable benefits to all segments of the society".
Three specific objectives are targeted by the present strategy: (i) to increase forest and agroforestry resources in order to meet the national needs in timber and non-timber forest products and services for public, personal and commercial uses, (ii) to manage forests to optimize their economical as well as ecological functions such as soil erosion control, climate regulation and biodiversity conservation in a sustainable manner, (iii) to provide institutional support to forestry actors in order to improve the quality of products and services rendered by these actors.
Several activities will be carried out in order to implement the strategy. The plan highlights major activities proposed to realize the specific objectives and corresponding Strategies. In order to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable, the strategy envisages the following activities: (i) to increase forest and agro forestry resources in order to meet the national needs in timber and non-timber forest products and services for public, personal and commercial uses, (ii) to manage forests to optimize their economical as well as ecological functions such as soil erosion control, climate regulation and biodiversity conservation in a sustainable, (iii) promote growing of multi-purpose /agro forestry trees in all farming systems, (iv) improve management of forest resources towards sustainability.
Regarding the reduction of rural poverty, the strategy plan to: (i) promote women and youth involvement in forestry activities that generate income, (ii) sensitize women and youth to plant wood lots for sale, (iii) undertake skills training and apprenticeship in wood processing, (iii) organize women and youth to plant and manage trees in public areas such as schools and health institutions and (iv) sensitize and build capacity of farmers and private sector to promote farm forestry.
To enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food system, the strategy will implement the following activities: (i) foster and facilitate national trade and export of forestry products, (ii) strengthen regional and international cooperation in forestry, (iii) promote value addition technologies to wood and non wood forest products and (iv) promote and support innovative financing.
In the context of governance, the implementation of this strategic plan will follow the sector-wide approach and will involve many actors. These actors have different backgrounds and understanding of the role of the forestry sector to national development. To ensure that all these actors work for the common good and deliver services in a complementary and non-duplicating manner, NAFA will need to coordinate and cooperate with all institutions that have a stake in the promotion and development of forestry sector. There is a need for strong coordination in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all forestry activities. This will encourage every actor to plan and implement priority actions instead of wasting resources on non-priorities. The proposed monthly meeting with provincial and district forest committees will be critical to the success of the forestry sector development.