Mohammad Chizari, Associate Professor

Agricultural Extension and Education

Tarbiat Modarres University

Tehran, Iran

Satish Verma, Professor

School of Vocational Education

Louisiana State University

Homayoun Farhadian, Instructor

Agricultural Extension and Education

Tarbiat Modarres University

Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of forestry and range organization (FRO)

managers in selected provinces and townships in Iran of forest protection and forestry extension. The

population included all administrators, their associates, and heads of forest dwellers= cooperatives. Data

were collected by mail. Major conclusions were that well-trained extension personnel are needed to

provide forest owners and dwellers with information and education on forest protection; that youth in

schools need to be taught the importance of forests and natural resources; that specific forest use and

land use legislation is necessary to conserve forestry resources; that FRO managers need better

knowledge of extension management, program and resource monitoring, and the value of involving rural

women; and that FRO managers perceive that a variety of methods would be effective in extension work

on forestry protection.

Introduction

The loss of large expanses of forests is a serious

threat to human welfare and the global

environment. Houghton (1990) reported that

between 1950 and 1980 about 15% of the

earth=s forests and woodlands disappeared as a

result of human activities. The largest decline

was in North Africa and the Middle East (60%),

followed by South Asia (43%), Tropical Africa

(20%), and Latin America (19%). In the 1980s

more forest was lost than in any decade in

history (FAO, 1993).

Factors responsible for this loss are the

conversion of forestland to produce food for a

burgeoning world population, especially in

developing countries (FAO, 1993; Swanson,

1997), as well as logging for timber and fuel.

These are legitimate human needs and uses of

forestland. But, lack of knowledge, and legal

and social systems often encourage excessive,

non-sustainable land clearing resulting in longterm

adverse social and environmental impacts

(Jones, 1987). The challenge is to manage

forests without degrading them and the natural

resources associated with forest lands (FAO,

1993). Sharma (1992) maintains that people

around the world want natural forests to be

protected, and insists that nations must manage

forest resources more efficiently to benefit

present and future generations. Education and

involvement of people in wise management of

forests are important considerations in this

effort (Jones, 1987).

The forestry situation in Iran is no different than

other vulnerable areas in the world. A diverse

genetic pool of some 12,000 plant species and a

forest reserve of 12.4 million hectares are

threatened by unsound forest management

activities, including overgrazing of pastures,

intensive agricultural operations, and

indiscriminate forest activities and timber use

(Report of the Islamic Republic of Iran on

Forestry Development and Key Events 1996;

Khosrowshahi & Ghavamie, 1994). As a result,

between 1971 and 1991, soil erosion is reported

to have increased by 250% in various parts of

the country due to lack of care for natural

resources (Khosrowshahi & Ghavamie, 1994).

The Forest and Range Organization (FRO) of

Iran and its Research Institute are responsible

for the management of 64 forest reserves. FRO

managers are charged with the task of managing

these forest reserves. An Office of Extension

and Training was established in the FRO in

1990 to educate and work with these managers

and with target audiences of forest landowners

and forest dwellers (indigenous inhabitants of

forest areas deriving income from wood and

non-wood forest products) in supporting and

participating in forestry protection measures.

Farhadian (1998) studied the FRO=s mission

and recommended that a strong linkage should

be forged between the Office of Extension and

Training and the Research Institute. He

emphasized that a key responsibility of

managers and staff of the FRO was providing

for the participation of people in the planning

and implementation of forestry development.

Lanly (1992) supports the view that rural people

should be involved in proposals for forest

management because they are keenly aware of

the value of forests and often have solutions to

forest management and protection problems.

He further contends that what rural people need

is not exhortation or advice but help in doing

what they know needs to be done. Extension

systems can perform this task, but they need to

be sensitive to the culture of indigenous people

and not just purveyors of technological

information (Child, Heady, Hickey, Peterson &

Pieper, 1984). Regardless of a project=s logic,

scientific soundness, management desire, or

possibilities of economic enhancement, local

people can implement or destroy a project,

depending on whether or not they see it as

beneficial to them. According to FAO (1993),

most forests in the developing world are on land

on which indigenous groups and rural

communities depend for their livelihood.

Therefore, it is essential that they be involved in

forest management programs. In a similar vein,

Sharma (1992) emphasized that attitudes of

people influence how they manage and use

forests.

Mohseni (1994) commented on the lack of

belief and knowledge among extension

organization managers for developing and

implementing extension activities in the Central

Province of Iran and argued that proper routine

evaluation of the managers could result in

overall development of extension personnel as

well as programs. Farhadian (1998) observed

that a problem with most FRO extension

managers was that they had agricultural degrees

and little or no pre-employment extension

training. He indicated this was a problem worth

further study. In a Report of the Islamic

Republic of Iran on Forestry Development and

Key Events presented to the Twelfth Session of

the Near East Forestry Commission, it was

stated that while forests in different regions of

the country are important, those of the Caspian

Sea Region are the only economically

productive forests in Iran (1996). Considering

this situation, a study of FRO managers in

selected provinces and townships falling in the

Caspian Region forests was considered

worthwhile.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the

perceptions of forestry and range organization

managers in selected provinces and townships

in Iran regarding the role of extension in

protecting forests. Specific objectives of the

study were:

1. Determine factors perceived by forestry

and range organization managers to

contribute to deforestation.

2. Determine factors perceived by forestry

and range organization managers to be

effective in protection of forests.

3. Determine forestry and range managers=

perceived knowledge of forestry extension.

4. Determine forestry and range organization

managers= perception of the effectiveness

of extension methods.

Methodology

Population

The population included all administrators, their

associates, and heads of forest dwellers=

cooperatives (N = 72) in Gilan and Gorgan-

Gonbad Provinces, and Noshahr and Sarie

townships. These individuals are listed in the

forestry and range organization directory for the

selected provinces/townships.

Research Design and Data Analysis

The research design used for this study was a

descriptive survey. The survey instrument had

five sections. The first section included

demographic data on the target population. The

remaining four sections contained questions

related to the study=s objectives. A 6-point

Likert-type scale from strong agreement (6) to

strong disagreement (1) was used to elicit

responses to specific statements about forestry

protection and conservation, and importance of

extension teaching methods. A 6-point scale

prevents respondents from taking a neutral

position (Clason & Dormody, 1994). A 5-point

Likert-type scale was used to assess managers=

self-perceived knowledge of extension work.

Content and face validity were established by a

panel of faculty and graduate students in the

Department of Agricultural Extension and

Education at Tarbiat Modarres University,

Tehran, and the extension specialist in the

Forestry and Range Organization. The

instrument was piloted with 16 FRO managers

in Tehran Province two weeks prior to the

study, and needed modifications were made.

Cronbach=s alpha reliability coefficients for

sections 2-5 of the instrument ranged from .68

to .90.

Data were collected from FRO managers by

mail. First-round nonrespondents were sent a

postcard reminder. Where this did not elicit a

response, a follow-up letter and duplicate

questionnaire were mailed. The final response

rate was 90%. Early-late respondents=

comparison was done to determine if nonresponse

was a threat to the validity of the study

(Kerlinger, 1986; Miller & Smith, 1983). No

statistically significant differences were found,

and it was concluded that results could be

generalized to the population.

Results

Objective 1

Table 1 shows the rank importance of 26 factors

contributing to deforestation as perceived by

managers. The number and percent of

managers who strongly agreed or agreed that

these were important contributory factors are

included.

A majority of managers agreed that 14 of 26

factors were important contributors to

deforestation. The top five factors were lack of

adequate, well-trained personnel, lack of

understanding of the economic importance and

value of forestry, and appropriate land use, and

lack of money. Inappropriate productivity by

cooperatives and government companies, lack

of forestry mandates, fires, and threat of pests

and diseases were considered to be the least

important factors.

Rank of Factors Contributing to Deforestation as Perceived by Forestry and Range Organization

Managers.

1 Lack of adequate well-trained personnel 49 72

2 Lack of understanding and concern regarding the role of

forests in economic development among forest dwellers

48 70

3 Lack of understanding of the value of forestry 46 68

3 Lack of money 46 68

5 Lack of knowledge regarding pastures, appropriate land use

and grazing among forest dwellers with livestock

45 66

6 Presence of livestock in forests 44 65

7 Illiteracy among forest dwellers 42 62

8 Lack of stable policy in administrative (executive) and

developmental tasks

39 57

9 Lack of laws or related laws regarding preservation 38 56

10 Inappropriate use of forests by rural people living near forests 37 54

10 Changing forestlands to agricultural fields 37 54

12 Inappropriate productivity (too much) from forest by private-

sector organizations

35 51

12 Continuous changes in policies, legislation, and programs 35 51

14 Cutting trees by women for fuelwood 34 50

15 Making roads inside forests 33 48

15 Population increase and the need for more productivity from

Forests

33 48

17 Need of forest dwellers for wood fuel 32 47

18 Lack of education among personnel 31 45

19 Lack of independent right in decision making regarding

executive tasks

30 44

19 Lack of participation by forest dwellers in protection of

Forests

30 44

21 Cutting trees by rural people for building houses 29 42

21 Inappropriate productivity by cooperatives 29 42

23 Lack of forestry mandate 26 38

23 Inappropriate productivity by government companies 26 38

25 Natural and unnatural fires 16 23

26 Threat of pests and diseases to plantations 15 22

bjective 2

Table 2 shows the rank of 18 factors perceived

by managers to be effective in protecting

forests. The number and percent of managers

who strongly agreed or agreed that these factors

were effective are included.

Over one-half of the respondents agreed that 15

of the 18 factors were effective in protecting

forests. Educating youth and students about

natural resource benefits was the top-ranked

factor. Also considered effective were measures

such as having foresters reside outside forests,

making livestock areas illegal, legislating

protected areas, and evacuating-resettling

farmers and nomads. Three factors rated as

least effective were stopping forest productivity

licenses, delegating the responsibility of forestry

to people by using a participative approach, and

continuity of staff and provision of equipment.

Rank of Factors Effective in Protection of Forests as Perceived by Forestry and Range Organization

Managers.

1 Diffusion of information on natural resource benefits to youth,

especially students

57 84

2 Placing (residing) foresters outside of forests 55 81

3 Making livestock presence in the forest illegal 55 81

4 Law of forests as protected area 52 76

5 Delegation of all lands outside of forests to farmers, nomads,

and their evacuation from forests

51 75

6 Providing fuel for foresters 51 75

7 Increasing the general knowledge of rural people 50 73

8 Appropriate planning regarding forest productivity by

specialists with government supervision

48 70

9 Establishing productivity factories by using forest inputs in

creating jobs

48 70

10 Designating and fencing a place for livestock, as well as

providing inexpensive feed

47 69

11 Establishing and strengthening special army units for

protection of forests

46 68

12 Planting of trees 44 65

13 Implementation of forestry projects by the government 44 65

14 Delivering educational programs in raising livestock 44 65

15 Delegating the responsibility of forest protection and

preservation to cooperatives

37 54

16 Stopping forest productivity licenses 32 47

17 Delegating the responsibility of forestry to people by using

participative approach

28 41

18 Continuity of staff and provision of equipment 22 32

Objective 3

Managers were asked to indicate their

knowledge of forestry extension work

(concepts) on a 5-point Likert-type scale from

know nothing (1) to know very much (5). Table

3 shows the means and standard deviations of

the managers= perceived knowledge of 18

extension concepts.

Using a mean value of 3.50 and above to

represent high knowledge , 3.49-2.50

intermediate knowledge, and less than 2.50 low

knowledge, the data reveal that managers

perceived themselves to have high knowledge

of 4 concepts, and intermediate knowledge of

the remaining 14 concepts. Managers had high

knowledge of the objectives, philosophy and

tasks of forestry extension, extension

responsibilities of FROs, and extension linkages

with research and education. Among the

concepts that managers had least knowledge of

were extension policy formulation, evaluation

and monitoring, improving rural women=s

access to extension services, and extension

systems in other countries.

Self-perceived Knowledge of Extension Concepts Among Forestry and Range Organization Managers.

16 Improving rural women=s access to extension services 3.06 1.26

1 Local leaders as teachers 56 82

2 Television programs 51 75

3 Videotapes/slides 50 73

4 Study tours/field visits 50 73

5 Result demonstrations 44 65

6 Symposium/conferences 43 63

7 Forest days 39 57

8 Informal discussions 36 53

9 Group discussions 35 51

10 Posters 31 45

11 Extension publications 31 45

12 Exhibitions 30 44

13 Radio programs 28 41

14 Workshops 27 40

15 Role playing 26 38

16 Lecture presentations 21 31

17 Method demonstrations 18 26

18 Farm/home visits 8 12

Conclusions and Implications

An adequate number of well-trained extension

personnel is needed to provide forest owners

and dwellers with information and education on

forest protection and conservation. This

conclusion is supported by the finding that

managers viewed lack of well-trained forestry

and extension personnel and a lack of

understanding among forest dwellers of the

economic importance and value of forestry and

appropriate use of land as the most important

factors contributing to the problem of

deforestation in the study area. Swanson (1990)

has reported that 40% of extension personnel

worldwide are inadequately trained in technical

subject-matter and extension methodology.

Salmanzadeh (1988) emphasized that competent

personnel, constantly updated, are required to

plan and carry out education programs to meet

people=s needs and accomplish educational

objectives.

Education of youth at the elementary and

secondary school level is also necessary and

important in forest protection and conservation.

This conclusion is supported by the finding that

managers felt that an effective factor in

protecting forests is to provide information to

youth, especially students, regarding the

benefits of natural resources. It is

recommended that managers emphasize to the

Ministry of Education in Iran the need for

including an appropriate course on natural

resource conservation in the school curriculum.

Legal and organizational considerations are

impacting forest protection and conservation.

This conclusion is supported by the finding that

managers perceived that making foresters live in

the forest areas, and enacting legislation to ban

livestock from forests and to protect forests

would be effective measures in protecting

forests. Currently, resources of foresters and

extension personnel are inadequate to monitor

forest dwellers. A sound and effectively

areas are demarcated and set aside as permanent

forest estate is necessary for sustainable forest

management.

While managers have high knowledge of most

concepts that are important in extension work,

they need to improve their understanding of

such concepts as management, program and

resource monitoring, evaluation, and policy

formulation in order to carry out their job

responsibilities. They also need to better

understand the need for and implement

education programs to reach rural women.

According to Sharma (1992), women have a

central role in providing and using fuelwood for

the home and can best understand fuelwood

problems, what interventions are likely to

succeed, and which groups in the community

should be involved in designing and

implementing interventions. Pezeshki-Raad,

Yoder and Diamond (1994) confirmed that

extension specialists and agents in Iran lacked

some of these needed professional competencies

and recommended that they receive training.

A range of extension methods was considered

by managers to be effective in teaching

clientele. Surprisingly, farm and home visits

were rated lowest on effectiveness. Perhaps,

managers were reflecting financial and

personnel constraints in their response. The

literature, on the other hand--for example Van

den Ban and Hawkins (1996) and Swanson

(1997)--indicates that farm and home visits are

very effective. These authors also suggest that

local leaders can be useful in supplementing the

efforts of extension personnel. This was also

the view of managers in the study who

perceived use of local leaders as the most

effective extension strategy.

The study showed that FRO managers have a

good understanding of factors influencing

forestry production, management, and

conservation, and extension concepts and

methods needed to educate forest landowners

and dwellers in forestry practices. Some

shortcomings in the knowledge and managerial

competencies of FRO managers revealed in the

study need to be addressed by the Forestry and

Range Organization and appropriate

government organizations and agencies. FRO

personnel--managers, researchers and extension

workers--have a key role in the wise

management of the country=s forest reserves. It

is vital that this role be appropriately supported

and strengthened.

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