Recognition of the forestry sector; its environmental and socio-economic role; its contribution to the food security, welfare and the GDP.
The recognition is reflected in agricultural, water, energy and industrial policies, according of figures to economic contribution in such documents as the economic review, supporting institutional and legislative measures and enhancement of image in public eye (popularity of forestry degree).
The passing of Forest Policy 1986, promulgation in 1989 of Forest Act and the establishment of the FNC as a fairly autonomous para-statal, with defined role and responsibilities.
Integration of forestry sector activities into national planning process; CNS 1992-2002.
Involvement of most of the stakeholders in planning and implementation of nfp, namely civil society, women, NGOs, private sector, and farmers.
Implementation of Forests Products Consumption Survey and National Forest Resources Inventory.
Improvement in seed technology and mechanized afforestation techniques.
Slight improvement in the condition of forest resources in terms of forest estate, afforestation and areas put under management plans.
Many factors can be thought of as to have contributed the success. Perhaps the foremost were the national attitude and the elevated morale in the forestry sector.
Since 1989 GOS faced declared and undeclared political/diplomatic isolation and economic embargo. The whole nation got entrenched for austerity measures and self-reliance policies. It suffices perhaps to point out that the overall foreign support to Sudan ranged between 800 million and one billion US $ per annum during the seventies and eighties. It was curtailed to about US $ 50 million, and even this is mostly of humanitarian nature. The nation just decided to go it alone and it did. The nfp was integrated into CNS and the latter was implemented in the aforementioned circumstances.
In spite of every thing however and thanks to the world community, the FSR and the resulting FRCP were instrumental in the establishment of the FNC. The latter coupled with the revision of Forest Policy statement (1986), revision of Forest Act (1989), the political and public recognition, the opportunities availed within the donor assisted projects for staff development, training and interaction with expatriate consultants and provision of funds to improve work facilities such as FNC HQ building, State HQs, transport vehicles etc have all helped to boost the morale of forestry personnel.
