Socio-economic effects of presidential special initiative on forest plantation on the farmers in the Birim north district

Abstract

Forest Plantation Development has been given special attention by the Government of Ghana to restore the degraded forest cover of the nation and to create employment with the aim of reducing poverty. This study set out to examine the socio- economic effects of the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) on Forest Plantation on the lives of the participating farmers of the Birim North District in the Eastern Region. In the study, 106 respondents comprising farmers and non-farmers were interviewed from the 1st to 30th July 2007. Multi-stage sampling technique made up of cluster, accidental, and purposive sampling, was used to select the respondents to ensure representativeness of the study population. The main findings of the study were that constitutional arrangements existed to ensure smooth implementation of the project, and the level of forest restoration since the inception of the project in the district was above 80 percent. Food production levels have increased among the forest fringe communities, and employment status and the associated incomes of the farmers have increased since the inception of the PSI on forest plantation. However, there were various challenges facing the implementation of the project in the district. The recommendations included provision of adequate funding and logistics by the government to the project, sustained education to the communities and their involvement in the decision-making process, prompt allocation of plots of land to farmers, and ensuring improved condition of roads linking communities and project sites.