Forestry extension as a work approach for forestry programs and projects

Abstract

First, the text briefly discusses the history of extension as a concept to later highlight some differences between agricultural extension and forestry extension, which arise from the relationship of rural populations with forest resources. After presenting three approaches for implementing forest programs and projects, it delves into the success factors of forest extension, and its key features are described. The authors consider the forestry extension approach as a minimum requirement for any forestry program that targets rural populations. We propose that the approach to be considered in forestry extension programs and forestry projects is delimited correctly, its difference with concepts such as community forestry and forest management, as sometimes they are used as synonyms which may bear consequences for designs and implementations of specific work proposals in a territory, whether projects or programs. It is important to rescue both the conceptual development and practical experiences related to these concepts, in order to strengthen forestry programs and projects that use forestry extension. The operation of a program or project with forestry extension should consider its objectives as well as the sociocultural, political, institutional, and geographic conditions of the region in which it will be implemented; it should also take into account the contexts of markets, considering the forest products that are traded on the local market, as well as environmental services, some of which are directly related to international markets. All of this requires that a forestry project or program, counts on a team with interdisciplinary characteristics, from technicians and professionals in forestry to social science representatives. The operation will require the support of various stakeholders who are well informed of what is proposed, an implementation of the baseline, monitoring and evaluation systems and systematization, as well as the creation of professional technical teams, through public tenders. Finally, it is essential to procure visibility of the program or project infrastructure, equipment, and means of transport.