Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) - Strategic Plan 1999–2003 - Problem Identification and Priority Setting
Criteria for Priority Setting
Kenya has diverse ecological conditions. It is also faced with many socio-economic problems. The problems
for research are many, but resources are limited. Priority setting is therefore necessary. In July 1997, KEFRI
organized a workshop attended by stakeholders where forest development problems were identified and research
priorities were set using the following criteria:
- Is the problem identified a lack of knowledge or a lack of application of existing knowledge?
- Is the problem easy to deal with and likely to bring results in a reasonable time?
- If successful, will the results be disseminable?
- Will the results impact on a large number of people?
- Will the results impact on a large area?
- Will the results have significant, positive economic impact?
- Will the results have significant, positive environmental impact?
- Is the problem consistent with national priorities?
Problem Analysis
During the Workshop held in July 1997, the stakeholders came up with problems facing
the development of farm forestry, natural forests, dryland forests and woodlands, and plantation
forests. Using the criteria for priority setting as presented in Section 3.1 above, the
stakeholders identified and ranked the following as Core Research Programmes:
- Farm Forestry
- Natural Forests
- Dryland Forestry
- Forest Plantations
The identified problems were also ranked under each of the four research programmes
as summarized below.
Farm Forestry
There were six priority problems ranked as follows:
- Inadequate technologies and lack of management guidelines for farm forestry;
- Under-developed marketing and utilization systems for farm forestry products;
- Inadequate supply of high quality propagation materials;
- Ineffective extension approaches;
- Insufficient recognition of indigenous knowledge and practices; and
- Unclear policy and inappropriate legislation for farm forestry.
Natural Forests
Eight problems were identified and ranked as follows:
- Inadequate information to support policy decisions on management and conservation of natural forests;
- Natural forests are undervalued;
- Over-reliance on few indigenous species for wood and non-wood products and services;
- Inadequate information to develop management plans for sustainable multiple use of natural forests;
- Large areas of Kenya's natural forests are undergoing degradation;
- Insufficient information on biodiversity inventory and conservation;
- Lack of knowledge of measurable indicators of sustainably managed natural forests and degradation; and
- Certification methods for natural forest products not developed.
Dryland Forestry
Six problems were identified and prioritized as below:
- Large areas of Kenya's drylands are undergoing degradation/ deforestation;
- Inadequate information on availability and utilization of wood and non-wood dryland resources;
- Lack of clear management guidelines for dryland forest resources management;
- Insufficient validation and documentation of indigenous knowledge and practices in dryland forest resource management and conservation.
- Serious constraints to tree establishment; and
- Unclear land and tree ownership in relation to forest resource management.
Industrial Forest Plantations
There are six problems ranked as follows:
- Inadequate supply of high quality propagation materials;
- Large losses of plantations due to pests, human interference and damage by game;
- Insufficient economic/financial analysis of silvicultural operations;
- Inefficient harvesting and utilization of wood products;
- Under-utilization of non-timber forest products; and
- Over-reliance on few exotic species.
Information Dissemination
Three problems were identified and ranked as follows:
- Inadequate database, documentation and publishing services;
- Inadequate production of technical packages and management guidelines; and
- Lack of forum for interactive research and technology transfer.
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