Declining tree stocks in African countries

Abstract

The paper first discusses evidence of the loss of tree stocks in farming regions of Sub-Saharan African countries, and the associated ecological changes taking place. The second part discusses the economic merits and limitations of two forms of public investment in afforestation: (i) in forestry management and plantation programs, with special reference to watershed and shelterbelt plantings, and (ii) in various forms of support — research, extension and nurseries — for the development of agro-(or farm-)forestry. In areas where tree stocks are becoming seriously depleted, the ecological and economic benefits would be significant for both types of investment. Shelterbelt and watershed plantings have the advantage of having well-defined effects, but are limited in scope by their relatively large budgetary and labor requirements. It is widely acknowledged that they would need to be complemented by agro-forestry development programs. By involving the farmers themselves in tree planting and stabilization of soils, the development of agro-forestry practices in Africa would offer prospects of a major increase in afforestation rates at significantly lower budgetary costs per hectare of farmland protected. However, the risks and difficulties of obtaining a good farmer response are not small and success would depend on economic policies that were far more favorable towards investment in agriculture and natural resources than they have been so far in the region.