Forest Certification in Zambia

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Forest Certification in Zambia

• Felix C. Njovu
• Forest Economist.
• Copperbelt University. Kitwe, Zambia.

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Location of Zambia
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Brief about Zambia

• Attained independence - 1964
• Land area - 752,612 sq.km.
• Forest area - 55 to 60
• Population (2000) - 10 million
• 42 urban and 58 rural
• Population below 16yrs - 40

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Mission of the forest sector in Zambia

• To enhance qualitative and quantitative
  contribution of the nations forest resources to
  forest sector and national development

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Institutional organization
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Major land uses

1 Forest plantations constitute 0.75 of the
forest reserves.  
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Forests in Zambia
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Value of exported forest products (2001)
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Record of certification
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Motivation for seeking certification
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Local factors pushing certification

• Decline in economic activity.
• Political change shift from socialist to market
  economy.
• Liberalization of the economy to allow for
  private sector participation.

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International factors pushing certification

• Environmental awareness (causes of global
  warming).
• The Rio earth summit.
• Increase in interest in natural rather than
  artificial products.

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Expectations

• Access to export markets
• Higher prices for forest products
• Increase income for local communities
• Better management of forest resources
• Higher forest productivity

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Situation on the ground

• Most forest users (harvesters) have become more
  aware of need for sustainable management of
  forest resource.
• There is increased interest in certification.
• Certified companies have adopted better
  management schemes.
• Uncertified forest users are also working towards
  sustainable management.
• Period has been too short for noticeable
  ecological benefits.

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Challenges and road blocks

• Nature of Zambian forest products
• Low local value of forest products
• Low quality of Zambian forest products
• Requirements for certification
• Lack of local certifier or agents
• Cost of certification and inspections
• Land tenure/forest ownership

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Effects of certification

• Power No change
• Social Not much change except the restriction
  of rights of people living around certified
  areas.
• Economic Enlarged market
• Environmental Better managed forest areas but
  too soon to notice impact

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Future prospects

• The uncertainties about the cost and the expected
  benefits of certification are slowly being
  cleared and the interest to actually get
  certified has risen. It is expected that more
  certifications will follow soon. This is
  because-
• The adoption of a forest policy that encourages
  joint forest management (Corroborative
  management).
• The economic success of the certified companies.
• Expected environmental benefits.