| An examination of the role of forestry as a poverty reducer in rural areas was done for the Philippines and Malaysia. The more promising contributions of forestry lie in four areas: (a) direct provision of food, (b) provision of employment, (c) provision of direct sources of income, and (d) provision of shelter and fuel. In each of these areas, however, the capacity of forestry is limited. Only in exceptional cases with abundant forests whose uses match well the location and needs of the poor can this role become significant at the local level. In many cases, forestry can only become a supporting sector in a rural development or poverty reduction strategy.;Greater decentralization of forestry administration is required in administering poverty reduction programs owing to scattered location of forests, dispersed nature of the poor and the difficulties of access and communication in these areas. The bureaucratic attitudes and behavior of some foresters should also be changed. In addition, several ways are indicated on how to ensure needed financial and manpower resources to implement the recommended changes in policies, plans and programs. Pervasive, strong and sustained political and administrative support to rural poverty reduction programs are equally necessary if the poor are to benefit from forestry in a more fruitful way.;Past and present forest policies, plans and programs in both countries were found to be unresponsive to reduction of rural poverty. Forestry's limited contribution in rural poverty alleviation can be enhanced through improving forest policies and plans. Among the recommendations in these aspects are: adjusting goals of forestry plans to national goals; installing long term forestry planning and forest policy formulation processes; designing social forestry projects in stages; and changing emphasis of forest policies. Improvements in present programs on development of forest-based industries, social forestry, reforestation and forest conservation are also necessary to enhance forestry's role in rural poverty reduction. |
