Countries

Forestry policies, institutions and programmes

Administration
The Department of Agriculture is responsible for developing and implementing forestry activities at the national level. The country does not have any separate forest policy and legislation. The Department has one agroforestry officer who, as part of his other tasks, manages a small nursery in Majuro atoll which provides tree seedlings to interested farmers and community groups. The main seedling species raised is casaurina which is used as a guard against salt spray and for coastal protection purposes.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is the main sponsor for the country¡¯s forestry and environment related programmes and the assistance provided concentrates on environmental awareness, community tree planting and agroforestry.

Plan of action
A Plan of Action for ensuring sustainable management of land, water and forestry resources and environmental protection of Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) has been formulated within the framework of the World Food Summit follow-up and was adopted by the FAO Council in June 1999. The Plan comprises the following five main areas of actions:

• Adjusting to changes in the global trading environment;
• Towards a more intensified, diversified and sustainable agriculture;
• Meeting fisheries needs;
• Ensuring sustainable management of land, water and forestry resources and environmental protection; and
• Capacity building and institutional strengthening.

The main forestry-related objectives and activities of the proposed plan of action are to:

• promote the conservation and sustainable use of land and water resources and manage sustainably the forest resources;
• enhance the environmental protection;
• improve disaster preparedness; and
• develop and/or strengthen national capacities in the context of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture.

Last updated: August 2002