The Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) is a National Institution which was established by Act No. 5 of 1980.

Mandate:

ADVERTISEMENT

To conduct, co-ordinate and promote the carrying out of Forestry Research as well as to ensure documentation and dissemination of research results for sustainable forest management in the country and to contribute to the enhancement of socio-economic and environmental benefits to the present and future generations.

Vision:

To have and maintain a recognized position as one of the knowledge and technology contributors leading to sustainable management of forests and allied natural resources for balanced science based environ-socio-economic benefits.

Mission:

To enhance research capacity for effective carrying out, co-ordination, documentation, and dissemination of research results for sustainable forest and associated natural resources management to enhance economic, social and environmental benefits to stakeholders.

TAFORI Head Office is in Morogoro Municipality , Morogoro Region along Old Dar es salaam Road . TAFORI has seven centres located in different ecological zones of the country namely; Dodoma Arid Zone Afforestation Research Centre, Kibaha Lowland Afforestation Research Centre, Lushoto Silviculture Research Centre, Malya Lake Zone Afforestation Research Centre, Moshi Timber Utilization Research Centre, Mufindi Pulpwood Research Centre and Tabora Miombo Woodland Research Centre.

TARIFO adopts a comprehensive and fairly straightforward organizational structure headed by the a Director General who is primarily responsible for maintaining accounting records in compliance with the UN standard of accounting and present the budget and expenditures of the organization during the financial year. He may also provide any other financial information as required or as he may deem useful as well as lay foundations for financial statements, rules and procedures for effective administration, exercise of economy and custody of the organization’s assets.

The Director General is also responsible for exerting financial control for the clear examination of transactions, receipts regularity, acquisition and disposal of funds, approval for expenditures and the economic use of the organization’s resources.

PLANS AND PROGRAMMES

TAFORI has two programmes namely: Support and Research Programmes

Operational Priorities
Prior to 1980, Government funded forest research focused on Silvicultural and Utilisation Research. In the advent of energy problems notably: fuelwood shortages in rural areas, environmental degradation manifested as desertification, an increased need for soil and water conservation; the need to overhaul research programmes such that these pressing problems are brought to the fore, was obvious. There is also the need of articulating the Institute’s list of operational priorities since this underlines the sequence of operations, and gives some clues as to how resources are to be channelled. The priorities are:

* Earmarking research areas and needs,
* Training Researchers,
* Building basic infrastructure at Morogoro, the permanent headquarters,
* Strengthening research centres,
* Disseminating research results, and
* Consolidating income-generating activities.

These aspects were elaborated in the support programme that forms part of the Forestry Research Masterplan 1993 – 2002. Realisation of these priorities was modest.

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

Due to issues, opportunities and challenges emerging from socio-economic, policy and environmental developments, the first National Forestry Research Masterplan 1993 – 2002 was reviewed again in consultation with stakeholders leading to a National Forestry Research Master Plan (NAFORM) 2000 – 2009). The NAFORM consists of six prioritized research programmes namely

* Management of Natural Forests
* Community and Farm Forestry
* Plantation Forestry and Tree Improvement
* Forest Resource Assessment
* Forest Operations and Utilisation
* Socio-economics, policy and Forestry Extension

MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL FORESTS
This programme aims at developing sustainable management and conservation systems for Tanzania natural forests. Four ecological systems namely montane forests, the miombo woodlands, mangroves and riverine forests are involved.

COMMUNITY AND FARM FORESTRY
This programme aims at conserving the country’s natural resources, ameliorating the environment and contributing to sustainable production of food, fodder, and fuelwood by the economically disadvantaged rural and peri-urban communities. The programme also aims at Surveying different ecological zones to identify biologically and economically viable farm forestry practices based on sustainability of food and wood production; and on farm research emphasizing on the use of indigenous species.

PLANTATION FORESTRY AND TREE IMPROVEMENT
The programme aims at generating technologies to secure sustained production of major plantation indigenous and exotic tree species for given end uses. The strategy underlying this programme is to support forest industries by large scale planting using genetically improved planting material.

FOREST RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
This programme aims at enhancing national capacity to collect, compile and disseminate reliable and accurate information and statistics on tree and forest resources for both local and international needs.

FOREST OPERATIONS AND UTILISATION
The programme aims at promoting harvesting practices that will improve standards of utilisation and reduce adverse environmental impacts. Besides, it strives to develop technologies for improved utilisation of trees and forest resources.

SOCIO-ECONOMICS,POLICY AND FORESTRY EXTENSION
This programme aims at improving forest policy and decision-making for establishment, management and conservation of forest resources for social and economic development of Tanzania.

STRUCTURE

The Director of Forest Utilization Research follows the Director General down the organization structure and primarily serves the interest of the technical and scientific staff. As Director of Research, he or she acts as a liaison for the organization and the rest of the research administration for improved working conditions and better research opportunities. The Director of Research also assists in the development of long term strategies and help in planning the organization’s budget. He or she also establish and maintain communication with the Director General and people under him.

Other responsibilities include hiring oversight and the promotion of staff as well as the proper allocation of funds, distribution of assets, support and policy implementations. The Director of Research meets regularly with the Director General and the Research Officers to act on the organization’s goals and interests.

Working under the Director of Research are several Research Officers or research managers who supervise research projects from the initial stages until its completion. Research officers communicate with team members under TAFORI and ensure that all project undertakings are on schedule.

Other areas of responsibility include planning and identification of project goals, forest research methods, variables and supplying test parameters. They are also responsible for the data collection process and evaluate project results ultimately offering recommendations as well as laying out research schedules to keep track of research activities. Research officers are also expected to verify database security and make sure that team members cooperate and complete their tasks as scheduled.

Projects