Forestry Research Directorate

Forestry is an important sector contributing mainly to enhance energy source (firewood and charcoal), timber, construction, fodder, raw material for wood industry, biodiversity conservation and reduce environmental degradation. Efforts are being made to ensure that the forestry sector makes proper contributions to economic development, environmental protection, ensuring food security, sustainable development and management of natural resources. In order to enhance economic, social and environmental benefits of forests, it is important to support with technologies and recommendations. Forestry Research Directorate (FRD) is one of the six research directorates of ARARI committed to advancing knowledge and practice in sustainable management, development and conservation of forest resources in Amhara. FRD focuses on improving the productivity of plantation, utilization and management of natural forests, development of agroforestry practices, rehabilitation of degraded land, productivity of gum and resin bearing species, productivity of bamboo species, domestication of wild edible trees and shrubs, designing strategies on utilization and management of non-timber forest products, contributing to climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation. These efforts contribute to mitigate the impacts of climate change, enhance the productivity of agriculture, support food security and economic development in the region. In addition, it focuses on understanding the diverse forest ecosystems and their socioeconomic role and providing insights that guide policy and practice. Collaboration is a cornerstone of our research directorate. We partner with national and regional research institutes, academic institutions, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and international organization to conduct multidisciplinary research. These partnerships allow us to leverage finance, expertise and resources thereby to enable us to address problem-oriented and demand-driven forestry research more effectively. We also engage in capacity-building, providing training and advisory service to professionals and stakeholders. In addition, FRD is dedicated to disseminate findings and sharing knowledge with a broader audience through publication. We publish our findings in scientific journals, participate in conferences and develop technology manuals for the public. FRD continues to be a frontrunner in forestry research in Amhara region. It promotes forestry and agroforestry technologies and recommendation to contribute to the well-being and livelihoods of the people in the region. By sharing its findings and expertise, FRD contributes to the broader goal of sustainable agriculture development in Amhara and beyond. Currently, FRD operates in five centers (Adet, Debrebirhane, Gondar, Sekota and Sirinka Agricultural Research Center). Nowadays, there are 40 researchers (BSc=16, MSc=22 and PhD=2) actively working on action-oriented research projects. FRD is implementing over 45 research activities under two research case teams, namely; forestry (plantation and natural forest) and agroforestry.