FOREST RELATED RURAL LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES IN NATIONAL AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACT The main emphasis of the paper is on a diagnostic reappraisal of the co-evolution between development policy and forest policy in tropical countries, concentrating on poverty alleviation and the contribution of forest production to livelihoods. The level of livelihood support from forests as well as the appearance of the livelihood approach as a new development paradigm are critically questioned. The analysis, based on the retracing of historical stages, provides insights into the short life span of dominant development themes and priorities. The livelihood approach has important predecessor models like the basic needs approach and the Farming Systems Analysis. The rich experience gained from the application of these models and, especially, the knowledge of their limitations have been ignored as inputs for further model development. In order to avoid the perpetuation of local subsistence production and poverty, a far reaching integration with other forest related development models, such as industrial forestry, and with macroeconomic development is suggested.