One of the guiding mandates within the FAO Constitution is the following: “The Organization shall promote and, where appropriate, shall recommend national and international action with respect to: … the conservation of natural resources and the adoption of improved methods of agricultural production ...”.

In many countries around the world, people living in rural areas have lower incomes and are generally less prosperous than their urban counterparts. Because of this, governments often attempt to promote rural development through the development of natural resources such as forests.

Examines the relationship of people’s rights in land to the manner in which they may be involved in the management of forests in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and to a lesser degree Botswana and Swaziland.Includes examination of property relations, state power, land reform, recognition of customary rights, the changing nature o

A presentation of the important forest food and utility species in Mozambique with a background description of the country's forest resources