Tanzania’s forest policy has shifted over the last 20 years, notably to encourage public-private sector partnerships and joint management of natural forests. Whilst many of these initiatives have not had the desired result (often due to commercial constraints), the role of plantations to provide the country’s growing timber needs is being increasingly recognized. WWF’s 2016-2020 Country Strategy identified expansion of its forest program as a priority and WWF Tanzania requested technical advice to direct this program. UNIQUE was commissioned to critically review the sector’s development in the Southern Highlands (where the commercial plantations are largely concentrated) and provide guidance for WWF Tanzania as to where their interventions could have maximum impact on livelihoods in the region.

• Review of the plantation sector in the Southern Highlands region.
• Identification of the main constraints affecting tree growers (both large and small scale).
• Identification of opportunities for WWF’s support.
• Review of WWF’s New Generation Plantations initiative.