Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (LACAD)

Managing Institute:
Department For International Development (LACAD)

NRIL (Natural Resources International)

Project Code: 110-502-001	Start Date: 20/5/1987	End Date: 01/03/1995
Commitment: £3,000,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and its economy is critically dependent on a few agricultural commodities. Over half the population live in rural areas and one third suffer extreme poverty. Two thirds of the land is classified as suitable only for forest cover but less than half remains under forest and the annual rate of deforestation is estimated at 1.1 per cent. Loss of tree cover is most severe in the dry forest zone. Wood is the main fuel for the entire population, and the principal building material for rural people, especially the poor. Trees are also key components in sustainable agricultural systems. Continuing rapid population growth will intensify deprivation of forest cover. The effects of resource depletion fall most heavily on the rural poor, especially women, and the rural environment.

Sustainable increases in production of fuelwood, poles, timber and other forest products are essential to meet increasing needs and to conserve the diminishing resource.

Project Objectives:
To contribute to the conservation of the forest genetic reforestation efforts and raise public awareness of forest genetics conservation

Intended Outputs:
Forest related uses, needs and objectives for target beneficiaries (poor households primarily in the dry forest zone) precisely defined and documented with particular attention to women.

Research programme and information delivery directed precisely to the needs of target beneficiaries.

Increased availability of improved planting materials to target beneficiaries.

Increased availability of appropriate information to target beneficiaries, via intermediary government and non-government agencies.

Improved institutional capability to manage and conduct appropriate and technically sound research and information delivery.

Improved technical capability of extension organisations, especially NGOs (information, seed supplied, etc.).

Database system for strategic planning of conservation of genetic resources, linked to sustainable use and development of forests.

Definition, prioritisation and safe custody of ex-situ conservation targets (species, provenances, sites, stands, management category).