CHAPTER THREE: FORESTRY AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
3.4 SMALL-SCALE COMMUNAL FORESTRY GROWERS
3.4.1 Overview of Small-scale Communal Forestry Growers
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Figure 3.12: Net gain and losses in forestry growing areas – 1970 - 2017 Source: DAFF (2019)
The variations indicated in Figure 3.12 are attributed to several factors:
• The introduction of policies and strategies in South Africa from 1998 that call for the withdrawal of the existing plantations from priority water catchments and newly created protected areas (e.g., Isimangaliso Wetland Park, Table Mountain National Park);
• Some of the forestry land area converted to agricultural land;
• Fire damage, pests and diseases, and drought causing damage to plantations, but having only a small impact on the areas that have been permanently withdrawn (DAFF, 2019).
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forestry’ is used. These terms, as well as the term ‘small-scale communal forestry growers, are used interchangeably in this research (Underwood, 2014). According to MacLellan and Duinker (2012), in geographical terms, community forestry can simply be regardedas a group of people living within a given area, although the size of that area and the density of its population may bring that entire assumption into question.
Community forestry is a tree-based farming system that enables local communities, individuals, and farm owners to practise forestry activities (Underwood, 2014;
MacLellan and Duinker, 2012; Nair, 1993). Nair (1993) defines community forestry as forestry by the people, of the people, and for the people. It is an isolated activity and more focused than commercial forestry initiatives. It involves the production of timber and timber products derived from planted trees and incorporates animal grazing. This practice is vitally important in enhancing the livelihoods of local communities (Underwood, 2014; Nair, 1993).
This next section discusses the exploitation of small-scale community forestry by the people, its importance to them, and the changes that have taken place and that are still taking place. The different products derived from small-scale community forestry are highlighted, as also, the benefits associated with the community forests and barriers which are also explained. For example, people in the past practised community forestry for domestic purposes; the focus being on fuelwood (Underwood, 2014). Hence, because of the restructuring of the land, community forestry is no longer currently geared to domestic purposes only. Government’s strategic goals include the alleviation of poverty, especially for poor rural communities, and to advance persons that were disadvantaged through unfair discrimination. This is one of the purposes highlighted in the National Forest Act, 84 of 1998. Post-1994, the restructuring of state forestry in South Africa has been grouped into three categories. Underwood (2014) explains these restructured categories:
• Category A – Economically viable plantation land, theoretically given to communities, with 50% of this land going to corporates and five percent (5%) to shares for the affected communities. The plantations are leased to private companies;
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• Category B – Commercially viable plantations that are being faced with challenges in terms of ownership; and
• Category C – Small scattered plantations extending over 17 000 ha and established to provide communities with building materials and fuel wood. Their area is under 200 ha, and they are classified as economically non-viable.
Small-scale growers are expanding their projects to include wood as an alternative source of secured fibre for the forestry industry in South Africa (Table 3.4):
Table 3.4: Small-scale growers in the forestry sector
Company Number of
growers
Area in ha Average size in ha
SAPPI – Project Grow
9 810 15 000 1.5
MONDI BP – Khulanathi
3 000 7 000 2.3
NCT Forestry Co- operative
1 600 25 000 15.6
TWK Agriculture Ltd
500 1 800 3.6
Siyathuthuka Co- operative
2 860 4 560 1.6
Independent growers
+200 809 4
Government- supported projects
6 200 (11 projects) 2 584 0.4
Subtotal 24 170 56 753 4.1
Source: DAFF (2010)
In addition to the above, there are 37 independent small-scale growers and 47 community woodlots covering a total area of just under 1 000 ha.
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Agroforestry involves land management systems and technologies and is defined as a conscious and sustained means of growing woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, and bamboo) that is deliberately used on the same land management unit, with agricultural crop cultivation and animal rearing also being incorporated (Underwood, 2014). The difference between agroforestry and community forestry is that agroforestry emphasises the interactive association between woody perennials (trees and shrubs) and agricultural crops and/or animals for multiple products and services (Nair, 1993).
The objective of this integration of plants, crops, animals, and woody species is to play a major ecological and economic role. It enhances the productivity and diversifies the economic base of a land-use system. It further protects and enhances the physical and social environment to the benefit of rural communities (Underwood, 2014).
Agroforestry significantly contributes to the generation of multiple benefits, such as biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and watershed management (Kariuki, 2011). It ensures biological diversity and healthy ecosystems. Leguminous trees, such as the wattle, play a major role in nitrogen fixing. Agroforestry protects soil damage, water losses, and terrestrial carbon sequestration. Kariuki (2011) states that environmental sustainability as Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved through agroforestry practices.
A woodlot is a common example of small-scale communal forestry in rural areas. It involves the establishment of timber plantations in the fight against poverty, a shortage of timber, and other forest product shortages. Black people are involved in forestry activities with the local community playing a significant role in forest management and land-use practices. The area in hectares of a woodlot varies from 0.5 to 200 ha, with an average size of two hectares (Underwood, 2014). Underwood (2014) further explains that the first woodlot in South Africa (SA) was established in 1876 outside King Williamstown in the Eastern Cape. The growing of trees to produce timber for firewood and poles, the grazing of animals in the plantation, and the processing of forest products at the household or small industry level, all serve to to generate
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incomes (Arnold, 1995). Underwood (2014) stated that the main aim of community forestry is to assist people in their quest to solve wood supply shortages and to preserve the environment through the planting of trees.
The objectives of community woodlots can vary according to diverse requirements that involve cultural, environmental, and financial aspects. Community woodlots can be managed for forest protection, commercial use and to the benefit of households. All these aspects are important, allowing a community to enhance the livelihoods of the rural population and to empower people to plant and manage trees in a sustainable manner. The current community woodlots work towards the multi-production of fuelwood, poles, droppers and lathes for domestic use and fibre for the commercial pulp mills. The latter purpose ─ the establishment of community woodlots ─ refers to commercial community forestry. The establishment of large commercial community woodlots (up to 200 ha) results from state land that has been released to communities for their own development (Underwood, 2014). According to this practice, women are also participants in the management of this type of community forestry.