Forestry and the Development of a National Forestry Extension Service: A Sudan Case Study

Abstract

"The emergence of a National Forestry Extension Service in the Sudan (as from 1985 onwards) represents a considerable shift in emphasis on the part of the Forests Administration. This shift reflects the realisation by the Administration of the gravity of the forestry situation and their inability to control the rate of deforestation using existing methods of forest protection and management. The demand for fuelwood both in the rural and urban sector is large and increasing; currently over 90% of the wood harvest is destined for use either as firewood or for charcoal. Forest reserves cover less than 0.5% of the total land area and will not be able to meet the projected demands for wood products over the next 15 years. The Administration recognised that if the people of Sudan are to be able to meet their forest product needs, forestry must reorient itself beyond the boundaries of the forest reserves: forest product users should be involved and encouraged to take responsibility for the forest resource."