By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Japanese-funded Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) project has created many opportunities for Falake community in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province.
The SFRM Project is a technical cooperation initiative funded by the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and Research (MOFR).
The project began in 2017 with the goal to improve forest management practices and provide alternatives to conventional and unsustainable logging.
Falake community Chairman Constantine Etemani, during the Japanese team’s visit to Falake on Thursday, February 19, said the forest is their life, identity and future.
He said the SFRM project has provided his community with tested, implemented, and documented practical approaches to sustainable forest management.
He said that during the project, they contributed to setting national policies and directions for their forest management.
He also said that they developed community bylaws and strengthened the governance system.
“Component one consists of livelihood management, which focuses on improving the well-being of people through sustainable income activities, food security, and responsible use of natural resources.
“Secondly, there is forest resources management, which focuses on protecting, conserving, and sustainably managing our forest resources for present and future generations,” he said.
Piggery and poultry, sustainable forest resources management, and mini-hydro are the three top projects funded by the Japanese government through its Grassroots and Human Security Project.
Under this project, the community has completed piggery and sustainable forest resources management and is now making progress with a mini-hydro initiative.
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