Chapter 5 - Integration of Forestry into the National Economy

Abstract

Forestry in the developing countries received little or no attention for its contribution to the economic growth during the 1950s because development strategies highlighted capital formation and technical progress as major factors responsible for raising income and economic growth. Even forest industries such as sawmilling, wood-based panels, wood furniture manufacturing other than pulp and paper were considered too small to be significant for industrialization. Forest policies in Zambia have evolved out of a narrow sector perspective which has struggled to enter into the mainstream planning process dominated by key economic sectors such as the mining and agriculture. This chapter provides information on the evolution of Zambia’s forest policies, legal frameworks, forest classification and how these could be used in integrating the forestry sector into national economic planning and creating linkages to poverty reduction.