Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDSA)

Managing Institute:
Department For International Development (DFIDSA)

Contractor:
Technical Cooperation Officer

Project Code: 046-502-002	Start Date: 01/12/1993	End Date: 31/10/1997
Commitment: £548,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
Land use in Namibia is dominated by large scale farms in semi-arid areas, large areas of desert, and limited areas of woodland in the north of the country. For the majority of Namibia's rural people the forests traditionally provide land for shifting cultivation and free access to grazing areas, as well as fuelwood and building materials.

Utilisation of natural resources on a sustainable basis is enshrined in Namibia's constitution. Rural production systems are not, however, sustainable under the present population pressure in the northern parts of the country. Decreasing crop yields and worsening food security are direct consequences of severe soil erosion, disturbed water balance and deforestation in Ovambo region. About 600,000 people (45% of the total population) are affected. This trend is likely to continue and to spread over into Okavango and Caprivi.

At independence Namibia had few staff in the Forestry Department, a situation which continues today. Forestry and related issues are under the Directorate of Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (MAWRD). The Directorate was established in November 1990 with its headquarters in Windhoek. The country has been temporarily divided into seven forestry districts, each headed by a District Forest Officer (DFO). Due to the shortage of competent personnel not all the DFO posts have yet been filled.

Project Objectives:
The objective of the project is to encourage the sustainable utilisation of Namibia's tree and forest resources, including research into forestry and beekeeping.

Intended Outputs:
Forest research programme updated and further developed.

Feasibility of Beekeeping established. If feasible, Beekeeping development plan prepared.

Improved staff capabilities for beekeeping extension, research methodologies and rural appraisal methods.

Increased graduate staff available to the Forest Department.

Appropriate information and guidance on beekeeping and research methodology provided.