FORESTRY   RESEARCH   INSTITUTE   OF   MALAWI (FRIM)   STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN (2002-2007):FRIM

FRIM'S STRATEGIC PLAN (2002-2007)

PROPOSED AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE PERIOD 2002-2007

FRIM’s operations shall be organised around the existing strategy area-oriented programs. Research shall address key issues of poverty alleviation, sustainable resource use, environmental conservation, creation of employment, rural income generation, improved production of tree products, environmental conservation, soil improvement and water conservation. The overall aim shall be to contribute to improved agricultural productivity, health and education.

Management And Administration

The management and administration products that FRIM proposes to deliver shall be in line with the current government policy and the National Forestry Policy, call for the maintenance of an organized research and extension program that comprises a well equipped and high performance team of scientists and strategic partnerships.

The proposed goal, objectives and projects/activities of the Management and Administration section are presented below:

Goal: To have a well equipped high performance team of researchers to provide leadership in Forestry Research in Malawi”.

Objective 1: To develop capacity for delivery of forestry research results and service (This objective addresses the NFP Strategies for “sharpening Research and Information Systems” and “Scaling up forest extension”)

                                                         Year

Objective 2: To mobilize resources and develop strategic  partnership (This objective addresses the NFP Strategies for “sharpening Research and Information Systems” and “Scaling up forest extension”)

                                                               Year

Indigenous

Woodland Management Strategy Area

FRIM’s research under this SA intends to assist in the development of simple woodland management systems which sustainably provide NTFPs and timber products while ensuring soil, water and biodiversity conservation.  FRIM has already developed an active research programme in indigenous woodland management of existing resources. Research in the next three years will focus on monitoring and assessing productivity, utilization, ecology and reproductive biology, silvicultural and community based management systems of the miombo woodlands.

Goal: To attain sustainable management and utilization of Malawi’s indigenous woodlands/trees

Objective 1: To improve productivity of woodlands. This objective addresses the NFP Strategies for “support community-based forest management; improve individual smallholder livelihoods; manage forest reserves and increase wood production in the estate sector

Objective 2: To develop appropriate standards and procedures on utilization of woodlands (This objective addresses the NFP Strategies for “ foster improved industrial forestry; support community-based forest management; improve individual smallholder livelihoods and influence wood energy supply and demand”)

                     Year   

Objective 3: To undertake socio-economic analysis on the values of woodland products and services. (This objective addresses the NFP Strategies for “foster improved industrial forestry; develop forest sector financing; improve individual smallholder livelihoods ”)

                                           Year

Objective 4: To undertake policy analysis in indigenous woodland management. This objective addresses the NFP Strategies for “manage the process of institutional change; optimize policy influence on forests and llivelihoods; build local forest governance through decentralization; support community-based forest management”

                                           Year

Trees on Farm Strategy Area

The role and potential of trees on farm as a development vehicle in Malawi has largely not been fulfilled. It is therefore imperative that research should be focused on generation of appropriate science-based technologies of wide applicability or improvement of the existing traditional practices– especially under resource-poor conditions and in smallholder farming systems.  There is a range of well-established traditional agroforestry practices in Malawi which have the potential to contribute significantly to the alleviation of rural poverty through amelioration of the environment, improved nutrition and the production of non-timber products.  FRIM’s major focus in this respect shall be in the development of improved management guidelines for existing traditional agroforestry practices, domestication of indigenous fruit trees for incorporation into smallholder farming systems and development of an integrated pest management schemes for key agroforestry species.

Goal: To optimise productivity and sustainability of small holder farming  systems

Objective 1: To develop appropriate tree management techniques that can be accessed by farmers and service providers.This objective addresses the NFP Strategies for “Improving individual smallholder farmer’s livelihoods”;  “Scaling up extension” and “supporting community-based forest management”

                        Year