Section 45(1)(j) obliges NFA to carry out or commission forestry research and Regulations 14 – 16 provide details on how to organize, conduct and use research findings. Forestry research is the mandate of NaFORRI of the National Agricultural Research Organisation. Given that the National Agricultural Research Organisation and NFA are in different Ministries, the pathway between research findings and their application has high transaction costs in terms of time. Also, National Agricultural Research Organisation’s programmes revolve around “commodities” while forests are largely “systems” and the two are diametrically different. Accordingly, NFA and NaFORRI have a MoU aimed at facilitating their functional interface.
Instruction 491: FMIs should commission research to develop more appropriate techniques and technologies required to attain SFM, including, among others:
(i) It shall be the responsibility of FMIs to ensure that appropriate priorities are included in all NaFORRI’s research programmes.
(ii) FMIs should also carry out simple applied research aimed at providing scientific input into decision-making on frontline activities as required. To this end, FPs shall try out different actions (subject to risk assessment) so that those that work well can be taken up by NFA as formal policy or procedure
(iii) Each FMP shall have a “Research Working Circle”.
(iv) All research shall be published in simple language “Technical Notes” for circulation and application. Research results may also be disseminated through peer reviewed journals, targeted magazines and exhibitions
Instruction 492: The MWE shall maintain a module in the National Forest Information Management System (NFMIS) to host research findings where researchers are agreeable to have their findings available to the public freely.
Instruction 493: Once every three years MWE shall convene a workshop that brings FMIs, Research institutions, Universities and training institutions which have forestry as one of the courses with the purpose of developing, and or revising a forestry research agenda for the country. There shall be strong representation of FMU practitioners in these workshops to make sure that research needs at that level are well articulated in the research agenda