Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDSA)

Project Code: 032-502-001 032-502-003	Start Date: 01-Apr-87	End Date: 01-Mar-90
Commitment: £237,066	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
Lesotho is considered a target country for DFID forestry support. The United Kingdom has supported forestry activities in Lesotho for over 100 years, but particularly since 1973/74 when the development of considerable infrastructure specifically for forestry commenced. In 1985, a small Forestry Division was established within the Ministry of Agriculture, and it became more effective in 1986 when a comprehensive Forestry Policy was drafted. An active forestry research programme has been underway only since 1978. In August 1989 an DFID evaluation team undertook an evaluation of the former Lesotho Woodlot Project (LWP). In their draft report, they concluded that The project has been partially successful. The achievements of the project lie in the creation of a cadre of trained staff and the establishment of woodlots in a difficult environment....the (former) woodlot programme is not sustainable in its present form and has a negative rite of return. . The Lesotho Government has pointed out that, for Lesotho, the major achievements of the Lesotho Woodlot Project were the attainment of its two long-range objectives - the formulation of a National Forestry Policy and the development of much of the initial infrastructure required to undertake it. During the last project (Fuelwood and Poles), a TCO Research Officer was appointed in addition to the OSAS Officer, to assist the Research Section to undertake this enlarged programme. The current project has been prepared to provide continuity of DFID support. The funding provided in this extension will allow the broader research programmes to be continued, but priority will be given to research for community and environmental forestry.

Project Objectives:
The project will provide technical assistance and modest capital inputs to the Forestry Department as it develops and initiates its new Community Forestry Programme. Support will also be given to research in support of this expanded programme and funds are available for assisting with the preparation of the Tropical Forestry Action Plan. The wider objective is to promote the sustainable use of shrubs, trees and forests for the long term benefit of the people of Lesotho. The immediate objectives are: To assist the Forestry Department develop and implement Community and Environmental Forestry programmes To ensure that the Research Programme gives greater emphasis to research on Community and Environmental Forestry To ensure that momentum is maintained in this sector while new programmes are developed To ensure that the preparation of the Tropical Forestry Action Plan is practical and reflects the needs of the people of Lesotho.

Intended Outputs:
Wholesaling of wood introduced to a minimum of 40 plantations. Increase area of timber harvested from plantations by 50 percent compared with 90/91 using wholesaling, direct retail and government yards. Identify marketing costs and margins of plantation wood for prospective wood businessman. If Lesotho Coop becomes creditworthy again replace 60 percent of wood imports as compared to 90/91 imports. Identify procedures and plantation categories for handling over to the private management. Increase production of seedlings for community forestry by 50 percent as compared with 90/91. Workshops held for 22 Principal Chiefs on land issues and forestry needs. Sensitize other gazetted chiefs to land allocation procedures and needs. Establish 10 species/provenance trials. Undertake 3 establishment trials for community/environmental forestry Continue assessment of all existing trials Convert six plantation compartments to seed stands for private planting Plant six breeching seedling orchards. Establish 5 new Permanent Sample Plots (PSP) and monitor existing ones. Assess the biomass production of two species grown outside the forest reserves.