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PILOTING COLLABORATIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT " ./ SYSTEMS IN OFF-RESERVE AREAS IN SOUTHERN GHA~A

ITTO/FSO PROJECT PO 41/95 Rev.1(F)

GUIDELINES FOR OPTIMISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN TREE REGENERATION AND

NURSERY MANAGEMENT

Project Directorate Resource Management Support Centre Forest Services Division, Forestry Commission July, 2000

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Members of the Project Directorate

OR. KWESI T.ORGLE MR. ALEXANDER B ASARE DR.KYEREH-BOATENG MR. ATTA OWUSU MR. KOFI MAINU NANA OPIAH MENSAH MR. WALLACE KOOMSON MRS. VALERIE FUMEY NASSAH

© The Project Directorate ITTOIFSD Project PD 41195 Rev. 1 (F) Resomce Management Support Centre

Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission July,2000

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1.COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN TREE REGENERATION

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Background Ghana's policy on forest conservation and development has shifted considerably over the last six years or so. The previous strategy was to consolidate and manage parcels of forestlands designated as forest reserves secured in strategic locations around the country, whilst stretching the use of off reserve timber resources to the longest possible time within the constraints of competing land uses.

At present, however, the policy is to manage both the on and off reserve forest resources on a sustainable basis. This means timber harvesting off reserve, has to be regulated more scientifically whilst ways should be quickly found to enhance appropriate regeneration of timber and potential timber species on lands that are otherwise earmarked for agriculture and other purposes. The complexity of this task underscored a need for the Forest Service Division to initiate studies to lea m and develop practices and systems that could be used to pursue the policy objectives of off reserve forest management. One of these key studies is the ITTO funded project known as Piloting Initiatives of Collaborative Forest Management off Reserve in Southern Ghana.

Among the principal objectives of this project was the identification of proposals for actions that will promote adequate tree regeneration in off reserve areas. The project therefore conducted a number of surveys on the socio-economic, present and potential timber resources and also studied reports prepared on other dimensions of forest management in off reserve areas. The practical process of tree planting by individual members of several communities with different and sometimes contrasting timber resources was also tested. The lessons that were learnt from the process have been compiled into a format that will serve as guidelines for all stakeholders especially The Forest Service in their attempt to secure adequate timber species regeneration on farmlands and other similar places. Whilst these guidelines do not exhaust all the issues bordering on tree planting and other regeneration options, they offer the forest manager an opportunity to view the process of forest regeneration from a wider socio-economic and ecological perspective. They also stimulate thinking and call attention to issues that are likely to be glossed over but which nevertheless, can seriously influence the results of any forestry development program.

Forest regeneration strategies Three basic options are identified for the successful tree and forest regeneration in the off-reserve areas of the high forest zone. A well-known and widely practiced strategy is to reforest degraded areas based on conventional plantation forestry. The forest so created can be either a large industrial plantation or a small to medium sized woodlot. A second option is the integration of forestry into agricultural land use systems. Agroforestry as this system has come to be known can be based on nurturing naturally regenerated tree seedlings or actual tree planting. The potential for this practice is enormous as many of the agricultural crops in the high forest zone combine well with forest trees in mixtures. Within the farmland mosaic are found a few patches of remnant forests, most of which are fully protected and therefore unavailable for timber harvesting. There are however, a few remnant forests that are allowed to be exploited for timber. The introduction of silvicultural treatments in such forests to speed up the natural regeneration process will constitute the third strategy of forest regeneration off reserve. Each of these options will present its own peculiar challenges and opportunities but the important thing is the forestry or agricultural extension agent's ability to diagnose each locality's resources and needs and consequently design an appropriate regeneration strategy.

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Principles and actions Before an acceptable level of performance and achievement can be obtained in timber regeneration outside the permanent fore~t reserves, certain paramount issues must be adequately addressed. These issues stem from many spheres of life including policy and legislation , as well as the social, cultural, economic and the physical environment. Others are technological considerations, management aspects, extension and inputs, biodiversity conservation and forest protection. Some observations known in this document as principles are derived from the above identified areas critical to the successful regeneration of forests. Under these principles, actions, which are needed to promote adequate tree regeneration, are recommended.

1.POLlCY AND LEGISLATION Principle 1 The present definition of planted trees discriminates against certain regeneration strategies, which have a high potential for restocking off reserve areas.

Recommended action 1 Define planted trees to include both artificial planting and tending of naturally regenerated trees on farms. Differentiate between regeneration efforts of small-scale farmers and the commercial tree-planting programme of the Ministry of Lands and Forestry. Secure commensurate incentives for those nurturing naturally regenerated timber trees on farmlands.

Principle 2 The economic value of land is not uniform throughout the forest zone of Ghana. Recommended action 2 Benefits to landowners must be worked out based on local circumstances.

Principle 3 Due to the long gestation period, tree planting in areas with complicated land tenure systems will be very discouraging. Access to new lands may be difficult whilst conversion of land initially intended for agriculture to plantation development may require re-negotiations.

Recommended action 3 Forest Division, NGOs and other interested groups should play a facilitating role in land negotiation Agreements must be documented in lieu of the long rotation period.

Principle 4 The establishment of commercial plantations could result in unbalanced use of land where most of the rural people are farmers . Poor farmers with insecure title to lands can lose them to commercial tree planters. The enthusiasm in tree planting could reduce land traditionally available to agriculture in the form of fallow lands thus further threatening the sustenance of the bush fallow system.

Recommended action 4 In each district or sub district identify, available land for tree plantation development. Indicate how much land is available exclusively for plantation development (surplus agricultural land).

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Encourage integrated tree planting with agricultural crops especially systems that combine trees and crops permanently.

Principle 5 World wide there is a general trend away from government development and ownership of forest plantations. Private plantation owners may therefore become an important lobbying group in future.

Recommended action 5 Encourage broad based participation in order to avoid skewing of policy to favour a few but influential minority.

Principle 6 The control of timber exploitation alone is not enough to secure sustainable timber production. The recent forest policy emphasizes tree planting as an important aspect of sustainable forest management.

Recommended action 6 Ensure that adequate resources and time are devoted to tree regeneration activities Ensure that timber contractors comply with the government's directive of developing plantations as a condition for felling rights.

Principle 7 Tree planting has a multi-dimensional effect.

Recommended action 7 Use plantation development to meet economic, social and environment policy objectives of some of the District Assemblies. District assemblies should use part of its royalties to support tree planting .

Principle 8 Outside the forest reserves, cocoa farms are the second most important source of timber after natural forest remnants. At present there is a negative incentive for cocoa farmers to keep timber shade trees as opposed to non-timber shade trees. Direct cocoa damage and yield loss compensation are not enough incentive to retain timber trees on farms. Farmers have the choice to select several useful non­timber shade trees.

Recommended action 8 Develop and introduce fair tree tending payments based on a percentage of the stumpage. This may serve as incentive for deliberate tree retention. Consider that removal of shade trees results in physiological stress and subsequent reduction in the productive life of the cocoa trees. Base tree tending incentive on the price of a healthy timber tree and not on the extra cost incurred by maintaining timber trees among cocoa crops.

Principle 9 Timber contractors have traditionally bullied cocoa farmers whilst until the inception of the Interim Measures the Forest Division remained indifferent to the plight of the farmers.

Recommended action 9 Develop strong support for farmer rights Provide information to farmers on both their legal rights and channels for pursuing these rights.

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Principle 10 Plantation development can only thrive in the presence of a suitable forest policy and tree tenure system.

Recommended action 10 Review tree tenure and bring it in line with modern realities. Tenure should reflect the state of land degradation and the ability of trees to restore soil productivity.

2. SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT Principle 11 Plantation developers may become valuable resource owners and very influential in future. Locals may antagonise plantation owners. Communities may make several up-front demands on plantation developers.

Recommended action 11 Encourage local participation in plantation development. Ensure small-scale holders are not marginalized.

Principle 12 Resources available to many rural people may not permit their involvement in tree planting and ownership

Recommended action 12 Encourage community plantations alongside individual private tree planting and ownership. Communal ownership should be designed particularly to cater for poorly resourced people.

Principle 13 Since the devastating fires of 1983 only few traditional authorities are able to generate direct incomes. Traditional councils and stool occupants could create resources for direct income by investing in plantations. The plantations so established can be a demonstration of a chief's commitment to the welfare of the stool he occupies.

Recommended action 13 Encourage the active involvement of traditional heads in forest plantation projects. Encourage traditional heads and landowners to use land as equity in plantation development.

Principle 14 Forest regeneration through plantation development will enhance local incomes, development of infrastructure and decline in urban drift.

Recommended action 14 Integrate plantation development into district economic development programmes.

Principle 15 Most farmers and rural people have no social security

Recommended action 15 Use forest plantations as social security, and trees to increase the value of agricultural holdings.

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3. ECONOMICS AND MARKETING Principle 16 The long rotation of forest plantations delays returns on investments. Land as a capital may not be available for long-term commitment. Commercial interest rates make forestry unprofitable

Recommended action 16 Provide economic incentives in the form of low interest loans and grants to sustain interest in tree planting. Integrate tree planting into agricultural systems for the realisation of early income

Principle 17 Loans and grants cannot be easily assessed by small holders

Recommended action 17 Package assistance meant for small holders in the form of free inputs, extension and consultant services. Group individuals into co-operative societies for the purpose of disbursing loans etc.

Principle 18 There is lack of economic data to demonstrate the full benefits of various kinds of plantings and products. The Forest Service Division's prices of plantation grown timber casts doubt on the profitability of tree growing in Ghana.

Recommended action 18 Conduct research on the economics of plantation forestry in Ghana. Review and charge market prices for plantation grown timber Develop markets for immature plantations and early thinning Explore the possibility of accessing the carbon sequestration market

Principle 19 Non-restrictions on export of plantation grown timber and general increase in wood demand both locally and internationally hold good prospects for marketing. Timber prices may be more stable than many traditionally exported commodities.

Recommended action 19 Maximise plantation establishment by making use of all surplus agricultural lands as well as marginal lands unsuitable for arable crops.

Principle 20 Risks and uncertainties abound in reforestation investments

Recommended action 20 Keep decisions that are not supported by facts and have little flexibility of review to the minimum. Decisions on choice of species and objects of management are to be profeSSionally guided

Principle 21 Cost of plantation establishment is cheaper in Ghana than in most parts of the world with long tradition of tree growing. Recommended action 21 Maximise the production of big size and high quality timber from plantations Adopt intensive management practices e.g. pruning, thinning and protection to guarantee quality product

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4. SllVICUlTURAl CONSIDERATIONS Principle 22 A large number of plantations in developing countries are not suitable for commercial wood production because of low productivity, poor management and unguided planting material, species and site selection. There may be substantial differences in economic benefits due to appropriate use of species, provenance selection and

Silvicultural Regimes. Recommended action 22 Select species with well-known Silvicultural characteristics and good returns, preferably those approved by an appropriate forest authority. Source seeds from only selected provenance and mother trees Plant species in sites approved by a competent forest officer

Principle 23 Planters will need guidance in many aspects of tree establishment and management. Preparation of planting material and spacing are most critical.

Recommended action 23 Include training in all forest regeneration activities.

Principle 24 Less productive lands are likely to be made available for plantation establishment

Recommended action 24 Use healthy planting materials and adopt good cultural practices Develop planting schedules for each forest district

Principle 25 Maintenance of planted trees is likely to be lacking. There is a tendency to copy the maintenance attitude of the Forest Service Division

Recommended action 25 Integrate agricultural crops into forest plantations during the establishment phase Develop maintenance schedule for each plantation Emphasise the importance of pruning and thinning in plantation productivity The Forestry Commission should establish model plantations in strategic locations

Principle 26 There is lack of information on appropriate species, spacing and combination with other land uses on permanent basis.

Recommended action 26 Identify the technology and species appropriate for planting timber trees among agricultural crops. Demonstrate the ecological and economic benefits of such combinations.

Principle 27 The selection and nurturing of natural regeneration to timber size trees is not well studied Many farmers have difficulty in identifying seedlings of timber species. The future of natural regeneration on arable lands cannot be guaranteed as subsequent

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land preparation involves the removal of these trees before their maturity and use as timber.

Recommended action 27 Study and develop the technology for raising timber trees within short rotation agricultural systems. Publish a manual on timber tree seedlings identification

Principle 28 Species routinely grown in plantations in Ghana have lightwood not particularly suitable for construction and other load bearing activities. The long-term availability of heavy wood in off reserve areas may depend on nurturing of natural regeneration on farms.

Recommended action 28 Along side the routine species, encourage the planting of the few indigenous species e.g. kusia, emeri and ofram useful for constructional purposes.

5. FOREST PROTECTION

Principle 29 Fire is the most important single threat to the successful development of plantations in Ghana.

Recommended action 29 Fires must be actively managed to ensure the survival and development of forest plantations

Principle 30 A fire management plan is a prerequisite for effective prevention, suppression and mitigation of effects of fire

Recommended action 30 Management plans for plantations located in fire risk areas must include a section on fire management.

Principle 31 Front line staffs who will be facilitating the establishment and management of plantations do not possess the requisite knowledge to deal with the threat of fire.

Recommended action 31 Train extension/front line staff in fire threat analysis and preventive measures.

Principle 32 Wild land fires are essentially caused by the activities of the local population. Fire prevention must receive the co-operation and understanding of the local community.

Recommended action 32 Encourage the participation of rural people in fire prevention work such as early burning, educational campaign etc. Stimulate and sustain people's interest in fire prevention through the provision of incentives to fire volunteer brigades and reward groups that succeed in preventing fires over a number of fire seasons.

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FSD should conduct further research into bush fires.

Principle 33 In most districts community fire volunteers are not adequately trained or resourced to deal with fire prevention and control. Central government inputs are not likely to contribute significantly towards the needs of the volunteers.

Recommended action 33 In districts where plantation forests become important land use, fire volunteers must be properly trained and equipped to carry out campaigns and handle fire emergencies. Seek assistance from local sources to equip volunteers

Principle 34 Protection of forest trees against insects and diseases is not well developed in Ghana. The cost of applying pesticides on large stretches of forest may be prohibitive. Forest protection strategy so far, has been to plant species with minimal susceptibility to pests and diseases. Most of the high valued indigenous timber species are highly vulnerable to insect attack if grown in plantations.

Recommended action 34 Plant species known to have little susceptibility to pests and diseases. The use of indigenous species must be done with care Intensify research on forest entomology and pathology.

6. BIODIVERSITY

Principle 35 Forest regeneration must not simply address the objective of meeting wood demands. It must lead to significant enhancement of the environment. Many communities and individuals place a higher premium on the environmental role of trees than on timber. Recommended action 35 Forest regeneration plans must include strategies to ensure acceptable levels of environmental protection.

Principle 36 Rehabilitation of environmentally sensitive sites like stream courses and swampy areas is required in many localities. Tree planting using the routine plantation species in Ghana will not be appropriate in this case. Recommended action 36 Identify and propagate species appropriate for environmental planting.

Principle 37 Only few species are routinely grown in plantations in Ghana. Planting trees in mixtures offer a higher biological diversity but may appeal only to small-scale planters. Naturally regenerated trees on farms can ensure biodiversity conservation.

Recommended action 37 Expand the base for plantation grown species to include more Ghanaian indigenous species Determine the combination of species that can grow successfully in mixtures and promote its use among small-scale tree growers.

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Study and provide guidelines for selection and protection of naturally regenerated seedlings on farmers' fields.

Principle 38 The biodiversity in heavily degraded lands can be improved through conventional forest plantations. The use of indigenous species is just an added benefit. Plant diversity in forest plantations increase significantly after the final thinning for long rotation forests. Forest fires may have more serious effect on biodiversity conservation than species choice and planting patterns in plantations.

Recommended action 38 Encourage tree establishment in whatever form on heavily degraded sites. Develop and maintain thinning schedules for planted forests. Carry out active forest fire protection throughout the rotation. Extension and inputs

Principle 39 There is still insufficient farmer or industrial confidence in tree planting in Ghana. Recent developments in forest policy and consequent initiatives are largely confined to forestry circles. Information for farmers is essential both for their legal rights and on the value of the trees being planted.

Recommended action 39 Strengthen and speed up the extension programme of the Forest Service. Encourage and standardise the extension programmes of NGOs. Explain recent developments in forest policy, remove misconceptions about tree planting and outline the opportunities and potentia Is in plantation projects.

Principle 40 A prerequisite for successful programme is the availability of inputs especially quality seedlings. Seedlings will be more efficiently produced by specialised individuals and groups rather than by tree planters. Recommended action 40 Encourage the establishment of well-managed forest nurseries throughout the forest zone.

Conclusion Forest regeneration must occur in a context that does not appear to dramatically change the relations between rural settlers and their physical or socio-economic environment. Instead it must fit into the development programme for improving local livelihood systems.

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2. Community involvement in Nursery Management

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BACKGROUND

Ghana has been well endowed with natural forests, which have provided immense benefits economically and environmentally. At the beginning of the twentieth century forests covered up to 8.4 million hectares but these have been reduced to 1.8 million hectares as at the end of 1990 and are even reducing further. The bulk of the remaining forests are in the form of permanent forest estates managed by national agencies. The extent and spread of the permanent forest estates is such that not all communities can benefit from them.

Deforestation has been mainly attributed to forest conversion for farming purposes and to a lesser degree timber exploitation, wildfire and urbanisation. Incidentally, the population of the country is ever increasing thus putting further pressure to convert forests into farms to produce food for the people. With modest improvements in the economy, Ghanaians are in need of more and better forest (timber and NTFPs) products and services. It is therefore imperative that tree planting and plantation establishment should be embarked upon to augment natural forests in meeting the increasing demand for forest products and services. Due to the scale of planting required and the benefits thereof, it is appropriate that state agencies as well as communities and private individuals take part in reforestation programmes. To do this there is the need to provide training to prospective tree planters.

The availability of seedlings forms the bedrock of every successful reforestation programme. Under the national tree planting programme seedlings were produced and supplied free of charge to tree planters as an incentive. In most cases, however, the lack of seedlings in quantities or the species desired coupled with transportation difficulties acted as serious bottlenecks to tree planting. The time has therefore come to involve communities in seedling production. Systems must therefore be devised to facilitate the running of community nurseries.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY NURSERIES.

The main goal of managing a community nursery should therefore be geared towards the:

Improvement in the standard of living of the participants through production and sale of seedlings and availability of quality seedlings for productive forest plantations.

The objectives are

* Provision of suitable tree seedlings to interested tree-growers (including participants and corporate bodies) at the right time. * Provision of supplementary cash income through seedling sales. * Supply of seedlings at affordable prices to tree growers.

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*Creation of training opportunities for communities in tree seedling production and plantation forestry in general.

* Provision of avenues for participants to utilise their spare time on a useful venture. *Creation of a forum amongst different stakeholders with common interest in reforestation to interact and improve upon delivery.

AREAS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF CFN - PRINCIPLES AND ACTIONS A lot of community nurseries have sprung up in the high forest zone of the country but it is not very clear whether these nurseries are being managed effiCiently and effectively, all seedling produced are of good quality and that the communities are deriving the necessary benefits from their efforts. To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the following areas must be critically examined and issues emanating from them addressed.

A. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:­Principle Participants in CFN tend to manage tree nurseries like nurseries for agricultural crops and neglect the fact that forest trees and their seeds are different from cocoa, palm fruit, etc.

Recommended actions: 1. Provision of technical support to communities should be led by the Forest Services Division. Contributions should be made by other land use agencies, NGOs, and foreign concerns.

2. Participants should undergo training to enable them operate on their own under normal circumstances.

3.Well-trained and knowledgeable participants could train others in turn. Participants should seek expert technical advice whenever any problem is beyond their reach.

B. OWNERSHIP: Principle: Community nurseries are often located on lands owned by individuals or families. Benefits to the landowner are not in most cases stipulated at the beginning of the project and this often generates conflict. Ownership should be clear to all stakeholders to avoid conflicts on the land and products.

Recommended actions 1. Community nurseries should normally be owned by a specifically defined community or entity.

2 Ownership of the nursery must be separated from the land on which the nursery is sited.

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3. The land must be acquired either by way of grant as in most cases or purchased where necessary.

4. Where the land has been granted there should be clear-cut guarantees from the grantor pertaining to the period of usage and access rights.

5. Whatever the case maybe there is the need to have written agreements that specify ownership rights, management and share of benefits.

C. MANAGEMENT: -Principle: Community nurseries function well when there is a well-structured and respected management hierarchy. The involvement of various stakeholders in the management hierarchy ensures commitment, accountability and achievement of targets.

Recommended actions 1. A governing body should be set up to take charge of major policy decisions concerning the CNs. The board should be made up of representatives from all relevant stakeholders connected with forests and land use within the community. Some form of democratic system should be adopted on the recruitment and retirement of the MB members.

2. The Community Forest Committees(CFCS), which are now being set in various parts of the country, are appropriate to play this role. It is expected that the CFCs should be linked up with the District Assemblies Environmental Sub Committees.

3. A leader (supervisor) must be appointed by the nursery participants from amongst themselves. The leader should act as such for a fixed period and he/she must be the link between the CFCs and the rest of the nursery participants. The nursery participants should be prepared to work under the leader and to obey his/her instructions.

4. Where a member persistently flouts governing rules, it should result in his or her expulsion.

D. PARTICIPANTS:­Principle: Membership should be open to all residents within the community irrespective of tribe, sex, religion and age provided the participant is capable of manual work.

Recommended action 1. Participation should be on a purely voluntary basis.

2. Local CFCs are to draw up agreements with participants covering modalities on membership and expulsion.

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3. The number of participants per nursery should be such that it will be convenient to effect efficient management taking into consideration availability of nursery space, tools and equipment, technical supervision and so on.

4. Generally, it is advised that the number should not be more than 15 individuals per nursery. Where more individuals exhibit interest beyond a convenient number of participants, then new nurseries can be set up to absorb the excess number of participants.

5. As many nurseries as possible could be set up in a village provided the numbers of participants are justifiable.

E. RESOURCES Principle: To manage a community nursery effectively and efficiently the nursery should be well resourced to ensure that seedlings are produced at a certain standard. Many communities may not have the resources needed to start a forest nursery.

Recommended action 1. The following tools and equipment should be available at the nurseries to help them produce good quality seedlings. Watering cans, wheelbarrow, cutlasses, hand trowel, shovel, hoes, mattocks, fork spade pick axe rake water tank in areas where there is no permanent source of water, wire and rakes.

2. All tools and equipment should be well kept at the nursery site in a toolbox or under a nursery shed

3 Nurseries should be fenced where necessary to avoid destruction by animals and people

F. LIVELIHOODS: Principle: A source of livelihood apart from farming is always ideal for people in the communities as a form of support whilst they wait for the proceeds from their main farming activities.

Recommended Action 1.Proceeds from the sale of seedlings must go to the nursery participants less any amount that is set aside for the nursery's maintenance and capital equipment. The amounts set aside must be agreed upon between the CFC and the participants. Provisional budgets must be prepared

2. Apart from the seedling production, participants should explore other livelihood ventures such as snail and mushroom farming, apiculture and vegetable growing . Participants could go further than merely coming together to engage in seedling production. They could form an association to access credit facilities themselves. Financial institutions are normally interested in offering credit to such well­organised associations.

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G. SALE OF SEEDLINGS: -Principle: The sustainability of the nurseries depend on their ability to sell seedlings at economic prices.

Recommended Actions: 1. CFCs in conjunction with participants are to fix the price of seedlings at the beginning of each year based on technical advice from Forestry Department personnel.

This is to allow potential buyers to make adequate budgetary provision for purchases. Prices should reflect prevailing market conditions of seedlings and the peculiar circumstances of the locality. It should be reasonably low enough as to encourage buyers to embrace plantation development while also moderate enough as to lead to cost recovery with a little extra as profit. Depending on circumstances, prices can be reviewed from time to time by the FC and the participants at a meeting comprising not less than two-thirds from both sides.

2. Some targeted markets for the seedlings are: Tree planters in the community. Concessionaires Forest Services Division Plantation Investors District Assemblies Environmental Projects etc.

3. To assist such CNs to survive government policy should encourage the purchase of seedlings from CNs in order to provide them with some income . Other bodies involved in reforestation can adopt similar policies.

H.INCOME DISTRIBUTION:-Proceeds from the sale of seedlings must go to the nursery participants less any amount that is set aside for the nursery maintenance and capital equipment. The amount set aside must be agreed upon between the CFCs and the participants. Provisional budgets must be prepared.

H. FUNDING AND PROFIT SHARE Principle Starting such communal ventures is normally difficult because though the communities may be willing to start a nursery they may not have the required capital income to start.

Recommended action 1. Initial funding should be secured from the following sources. Government grant Foreign donors Donations from traditional leaders and others. District Assemblies Common or Poverty Alleviation Funds

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Participants' contributions Timber Concessionaires

2. Over the long term, however, participants should be able to raise enough seedlings both for their tree growing needs and for sale to prospective tree growers. The revenue from the sales should be adequate to cover the running and maintenance of the nurseries with a little profit margin.

To ensure sustainability the nurseries should be able to be run from income derived from the sale of seedlings and other sources of regular income.

Profits obtained should be shared amongst the participants after satisfying other obligations as proposed below.

Recipient/Item Profit Share (%)

1. Management (Board) 10 2. Revolving Fund 24 3. Participants 66 Total 100

i .. Nursery Operations In terms of nursery operations, it is expected that they should conform to the normal Forest Services Division's practices. A manuals for running community nurseries has also been produced by the project to serve as a guide to the governing bodies and participants. The following, however, offers some insight to the anticipated nursery operations .

Types of Nursery: - Two types of nurseries normally set up to produce seedlings are permanent and flying nurseries. Flying nurseries are probably what the communities should set up. They should be adequate for the seedling requirement of the communities. The overhead costs are higher but management is less complex and can be sited close to proposed planting sites to eliminate and reduce transport costs.

Type of Seedlings: - Demand surveys should be conducted by the participants to ascertain the prospective demand of customers while taking into consideration participant's own demands. This should be done well ahead of time (October to December). Seedlings raised should be of the right quality, quantity, and species.

Timing of Operations: - Nursery operations should be effected in harmony with the seasons. Operations should be timed in such a way as to have the seedlings ready for transplanting by the beginning of the planting season.

Scale of operation: This should be large enough to make the whole scheme economically viable. For cl nursery to be profitable it should have the maximum number of quality seedlings.

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For Bare root seedlings, 100 seedlings per every square meter should be planted . An additional 20% of the land should be added to the figure calculated for the nursery beds to provide space for alleys, work areas. Etc.

When containers are used 150 - 200 containers per square meter is ideal. The minimum size for a community nursery should vary from place to place depending on demand for seedlings, availability of land, resources and the required number of people and

Conclusion In conclusion, it must be mentioned that many more ideas could be obtained towards the setting up of the eNs and it is expected that improvements will be effected once they start functioning. It is the desire of all that they shall become so successful that they will soon become part of the nation's reforestation oroaramme .