National Forestry Research Master Plan III (NAFORM III) 2021 - 2031.

This National Forestry Research Master Plan III (NAFORM III) is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at ensuring forests and tree resources are conserved and managed well and utilized in a sustainable manner to meet the current and future demands. It is intended, with the full support of the Government, as a guiding document for all those involved or who will be involved in forestry research in Tanzania. This means that individuals and institutions can conduct research in specific areas identified by stakeholders so that to ensure that the limited research resources are prioritized for addressing the most critical forestry challenges. The specific objectives of the NAFORM III are (i) forests and tree resources effectively developed and sustainably managed. (ii) forest ecosystems effectively conserved; (iii) production of forest and tree products enhanced and sustained; (iv) investments in the development of forests, tree resources, and industries enhanced; (v) human and institutional capacity to deliver services enhanced; (vi) regional and international cooperation enhanced; (vii) impacts of HIV and AIDS infections reduced; (viii) gender equity and equality enhanced; (ix) good governance principles enhanced; (x) contribution of the forest sector to environmental conservation enhanced.
In order to realize the objectives of NAFORM III, the following strategies will be used (i) develop competitive research proposal projects and programs and submit them to various funding sources; (ii) enhance research capacities of researchers through short and long term trainings; (iii) strengthen collaboration with other local and international research institutions; (iv) ensure use of basic, applied and adaptive research to solve the current and emerging issues; (v) strengthen national, regional and international partnerships and linkages; (vi) promote contract research for clients with specific research issues or problems; (vii) develop user friendly means of communicating forestry research findings to stakeholders; (viii) develop forestry research infrastructure that will encourage development partners to provide research financial support; (ix) ensure adequate research knowledge and skills in key areas e.g. tree breeding, entomology, pathology, botany, wood processing and marketing.
The NAFORM III consists of six prioritized research programmes namely (1) Natural Forests and Biodiversity Conservation aiming to develop sustainable management of natural forests and conservation systems for biodiversity, ecological and hydrological benefits; (2) Urban and Farm Forestry to achieve increased access to high quality germplasm and ensure improved management, utilization and marketing of trees and agroforestry products and services; (3) Forest Plantations and Tree Improvement to generate technologies to secure sustained production of major indigenous and exotic plantation tree species for given end uses; (4) Forest Resources Assessment aiming 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; (5) Socio-economics, Policy and Forestry Extension to improve forest policy and decision-making for establishment, management and conservation of forest resources for social and economic development of Tanzania; (6) Sustainable Harvesting and Utilization of Forest Products to (a) promote harvesting practices that will improve resource utilization and minimize adverse environmental impacts; (b) develop technologies for improved utilization of forest resources and trees. For each research program, information is provided on background and justification, research focus areas, and indicative inputs.
As for Governance, the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) is mandated to conduct, coordinate, and regulate forestry research in Tanzania. Furthermore, a Coordinating Unit was established at TAFORI. This Unit needs to be well staffed and facilitated to undertake its main functions of (i) soliciting funds from various sources to support NAFORM III; (ii) calling for research proposals, evaluating the proposals, and making recommendations to higher decision organs for funding; (iii) organizing annual research workshops; (iv) monitoring and evaluating progress reports on all NAFORM III activities; (v) collecting all published forestry research materials in the National forestry depository; (vi) setting and reviewing regularly forestry research priority areas; (vii) preparing and publishing newsletters, policy briefs and extension materials from published research materials.