ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that social forestry (SF) projects function within the surrounding frame, and are profoundly influenced by such variables as social relations and power structure; role of local government, national government and other institutions; land tenurial arrangements; market opportunities; role of public forestry organization, policies, and donor agencies. It discusses the implications of these variables for the performance of SF, and argues that they are not generally conducive to fulfilling SF’s ambitious objectives. In the study areas, social and economic transactions involving SF farmers and affluent villagers largely occur through a pervasive patronage network. SF farmers are under heavy influence of elites and they have to perform within limits set by the patronage network. The commercial network is strong, well-organized, and fortified by collaboration and connivance of the bureaucracy and politics. Farmers do not have control over markets and they work under highly unfavourable conditions set by market forces.
