Analysis of State Forest Institutions in the Republic of Moldova, Using a Causative Model

Nicolae Talpă,Bogdan Popa,Aureliu Florin Hălălișan

doi:10.3390/f12010105

Abstract

With state institutions playing a determinant role and the state owning 86% of the forestland, the forest sector in the Republic of Moldova still strives to adapt to post-communist socio-economic realities. This paper evaluates the performance of forest state institutions in achieving ambitious policy goals oriented toward sustainable management and enhancing forest protection functions. The performance of the Moldsilva Agency; State Forest Enterprises; and Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment were evaluated, using the criteria of the 3L Model. The research combined participatory observations, face-to-face semi-structured interviews and secondary empirical evidence. The results indicate a paternalistic regulatory approach, with state authority institutions giving marginal importance to non-state forests, and low-efficiency state forest management institutions having financial difficulties that threaten the fulfillment of sustainability goals. The Moldsilva Agency has a central role in intra-/inter-sectorial coordination and cooperation. The authorities should seriously consider a more precise formulation of policy goals, with solid budgetary support along with institutional measures aiming at more efficient forest management structures and higher concern for non-state forests and society’s demands.

Highlights

For many former socialist countries, the forest sector institutional framework has been an important concern [1,2,3], the last decades being a period of prolonged institutional reforms [1,2,4,5]
The results indicate a paternalistic regulatory approach, with state authority institutions giving marginal importance to non-state forests, and low-efficiency state forest management institutions having financial difficulties that threaten the fulfillment of sustainability goals
As proved in other studies [14], our study reveals that state forest management structures in the Republic of Moldova have a high inertia in marketing approaches, almost ignoring the innovation opportunities for forest products and services, partially due to their monopolistic position

Summary

Introduction

For many former socialist countries, the forest sector institutional framework has been an important concern [1,2,3], the last decades being a period of prolonged institutional reforms [1,2,4,5]. There is strong evidence indicating that traditional interventionist and paternalist types of institutional approach are still present [13,14], undermining stakeholder’s involvement in forest management. This explains why research efforts have been increasingly focusing on the evaluation of state forest institutions’ (SFIs’) performance in achieving their economic, ecological and social goals, aiming at formulating strategic options for the future sustainable development of the sector [14,15,16]. The model considers all levels of sustainable management, making it easy to use and adapt [14]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion