An examination of forestry research in developing countries inevitably leads to the conclusion that, overall, its performance has been poor. This is not to say that examples of high-quality forestry research do not exist. For example, research in Malaysia has transformed rubberwood from a commercially unknown species into the base of a sustainable multimillion-dollar processing and export industry. In Brazil, genetic improvement research over the past 15 years has resulted in the doubling of eucalyptus yields. But, for the most part, research in the developing countries has been unable to provide adequate information and responses to the challenges of sustainable forest development in a rapidly changing world.
The fundamental constraint to more effective forestry research in the developing countries has been a lack of political support, at both national and international levels, resulting from an insufficient understanding of the links between a strong national forestry research capacity and the resolution of broader development issues. This, in turn, has led to a long list of direct impediments: poor leadership, poor salaries, poor career prospects, poor training, poor funding and poor facilities.
Moreover, there has been a tendency to suggest that imported technology can be substituted for national research. This belief has been encouraged among developing country decision-makers by international assistance efforts that have focused on the short-term provision of external expertise. Technology transfer is important and can reduce unnecessary duplication of effort but if such technology is to remain useful it must be continually adapted and updated. This can only be achieved if there is a cadre of national expertise in forestry research.
The point is made poignantly by Salleh Mohammed Nor, director of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), in a paper prepared for the 10th World Forestry Congress:
"It is a terrible mistake by developing countries not to recognise the importance of investment in research and development, as a long-term investment in national capability building. A country without scientific ability is a barren society. It will never be able to compete and will always be dependent upon others. Even if such countries are independent politically, economically they will always be colonies of scientifically advanced countries. Therefore, investment in research is an investment in nation building...."
This issue of Unasylva examines a number of facets of forestry research, emphasizing needs for and efforts made towards strengthening national capability in the developing countries. In the first article, RN. Sall examines the urgent need for continuity in support (both political and financial) to forestry research. A lack of trained personnel and capable managers is one of the most critical problems facing forestry research organizations. The article by M.N. Salleh and W.C. Wong discusses the experiences of FRIM in addressing this challenge.
An important element in increasing the relevance of forestry research is a shift towards a more demand-driven approach, including the involvement of end-users in the setting of research priorities. J.B. Raintree explores farmers' involvement in determining priorities for agroforestry research.
In the context of global concern for the environment and the sustainable use of renewable resources, forestry research has come into the spotlight of international attention and new and important initiatives have been launched. Three of these - the International Union of Forest Research Organization's Special Programme for Developing Countries; the FAO Forestry Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific; and the incorporation of forestry research into the mandate of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research are described by, respectively, L.F. Riley, the late Y.S. Rao and J.A. Sayer. In the long run, the success of these efforts will be measured more in terms of their contribution to strengthening national capabilities than in the quality or quantity of the research they have undertaken directly.
An important element in the article by J.A. Sayer, and in the medium-term plan of the new Centre for International Forestry Research of which he is director-general, is the need for forestry research to broaden its focus beyond technical considerations to embrace and build on capabilities in the socio-economic and policy dimensions of forestry development.
Two additional articles complement the discussion of forestry research in the developing world by examining forestry research efforts in industrialized countries. R.L. Youngs analyses trends in wood- and fibre-based forest products research, focusing on the United States. The collaborative role of the public and private sectors comes through strongly, as does the importance of market forces in shaping directions for forest product research. R.J. Haines provides a summary of current research into biotechnology applications for forest tree improvement. Although perhaps futuristic in terms of practical applications, the theoretical potential of genetic manipulation in forestry is fascinating.
There has never been so much discussion about forestry research as at present. The strong global interest offers an opportunity to uplift the state of forestry research in the developing countries. The new international initiatives will have an important role to play; however, the primary responsibility for the development of a cadre of national forestry expertise rests with each individual developing country.
