International Journal of Social Science & Economic Research
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Title:
ROLE OF FORESTRY EXTENSION IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AFFORESTATION AS AN ON-FARM ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN ZIMBABWE

Authors:
Isaac Mhaka

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Isaac Mhaka
Institute of Life Long Learning and Development Studies, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe

MLA 8
Mhaka, Isaac. "ROLE OF FORESTRY EXTENSION IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AFFORESTATION AS AN ON-FARM ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN ZIMBABWE." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 9,

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ABSTRACT:
Despite a plethora of studies on afforestation, a close analysis of the focus of many studies conducted to date reveal the existence of a gap in knowledge on role of forestry extension in promoting sustainable afforestation as an on-farm economic activity in developing countries, Zimbabwe being a case in point. Despite an absence of studies, evidence from studies conducted in elsewhere seem to pinpoint the significance of forestry extension services in enhancing afforestation adoption as an on-farm economic activity. Specifically, the role of forestry extension in promoting sustainable afforestation as an on-farm economic activity in Zimbabwe remains a grey area, unexplored and under-theorised. Extant studies have mainly been biased towards afforestation as an alternative land use option models for afforestation and agronomy, and challenges in afforestation. These studies overlook the need to interrogate the role of forestry extension in promoting sustainable afforestation in developing countries. Therefore, this study using qualitative research methodology sought to explore the role of forestry extension in promoting sustainable afforestation as an on-farm economic activity in Zimbabwe. Generally, study findings highlighted that forestry extension services in Zimbabwe are highly inadequate characterised by gross underfunding, limited manpower, limited skills amongst other challenges that impeded the execution of duties by extensionists. The result has been a limited contact between afforestors, potential afforestors and forestry extension service providers. All these have an impact on the overall contribution of afforestation on economic development, thus afforestation extension services should be upheld if afforestation is to be taken as a sustainable, alternative land-use option in the province. There is need to capacitate the Forestry Extension service unit (Forestry Commission and all those involved in forestry extension services) in order to optimise the role of forestry extension in promoting sustainable afforestation as an on-farm economic activity in Zimbabwe. Generally, study findings highlighted that forestry extension services in Zimbabwe are highly inadequate characterised by gross underfunding, limited manpower, limited skills amongst other challenges that impeded the execution of duties by extensionists. The result has been a limited contact between afforestors, potential afforestors and forestry extension service providers. All these have an impact on the overall contribution of afforestation on economic development, thus afforestation extension services should be upheld if afforestation is to be taken as a sustainable, alternative land-use option in the province. There is need to capacitate the Forestry Extension service unit (Forestry Commission and all those involved in forestry extension services) in order to optimise the role of forestry extension in promoting sustainable afforestation as an on-farm economic activity in Zimbabwe.

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