2017年-世界发展银行全球_Poverty_Forest_Dependence_and_Migration_in_the_Forest_Communities_of_Turkey___Evidence_and_Policy_Impact_Analysis_56页_1mb

Summary of Poverty, Forest Dependence and Migration in the Forest Communities of Turkey

Core Content

This report examines the relationship between poverty, forest dependence, and migration in Turkey's forest communities, with the aim of informing policy improvements to enhance the livelihoods of forest villagers and promote sustainable forest management. It is part of a broader collaboration between the World Bank and the General Directorate of Forestry (GDF) in Turkey, and it complements the Forest Policy Note (FPN) developed to support the GDF's Forest Sector Strategy (2017–2021). The study draws on the results of a socio-economic household survey (SEHS) conducted in 2016 across forest villages, providing evidence on income sources, migration patterns, and the socio-economic conditions of forest-dependent communities.

Main Findings

1. Poverty in Forest Villages

• High poverty rates: The poverty rate in forest villages is approximately 80%, based on the national poverty line of 1,115 Turkish Lira (TL) per month per capita, which is more than double the average rural poverty rate in Turkey.
• Spatial inequality: There is significant variation in poverty levels across and within regions. For example, in the Mediterranean Region, forest villages have a poverty rate of 68%, while the regional poverty rate is only 18%.
• Income dependency: Poor households rely heavily on forest-related income, which constitutes 28% of their total income, compared to 8% for non-poor households. This highlights the limited income diversification among the poor.

2. Income Sources and Diversification

• Non-poor households diversify income more, often relying on agriculture, livestock, and pensions.
• Agricultural income is the highest return source, averaging 28,700 TL across households.
• Pensions are a significant income source for non-poor households, contributing 44% of their income on average, indicating an aging population and reliance on social transfers.

3. Migration Trends

• Migration prevalence: 13% of households in the SEHS reported at least one migrant in the past 5 years, a 2% increase from the previous 5-year period (2005–2010).
• Migration impact: Migration is increasing among forest-dependent households, especially those with fewer working-age members. This poses a threat to the GDF's current model of forest management, which depends on a stable labor force.

4. Factors Influencing Migration

• Forest dependency and low income diversification increase the probability of migration.
• Membership in forest cooperatives reduces the likelihood of migration.
• Policy simulation suggests that full cooperative membership could reduce migration by 19%.

Key Policy Insights

1. Forest Dependence and Poverty Trap

• Forest-dependent households are more likely to be poor due to low returns from forest activities.
• Limited income diversification traps poor households in a cycle of low-value income generation.

2. Role of Cooperatives and Associations

• Cooperatives and associations play a critical role in reducing migration and improving income.
• The GDF's Forest and Village Relations Department (ORKOY) provides financial support through grants and soft loans, which can help establish cooperatives and diversify income sources.

3. Value-Added Activities and NWFPs

• Turkey is the 12th largest exporter of non-wood forest products (NWFPs), but only 20% undergo domestic value addition.
• Enhancing value chains for NWFPs through local processing and SME support can increase productivity and employment opportunities for forest villagers.

4. Need for a National Forestry Inventory (NFI)

• An NFI is essential for accurate and timely data to support policy and planning.
• It can help identify region-specific issues, such as tourism potential, infrastructure needs, and NWFP locations.
• Expanding the NFI to include biomass and soil carbon data would allow for better valuation of forest and ecosystem services.

Policy Recommendations

1. Promote Income Diversification and Productivity

• Create more income opportunities from forests and encourage diversification.
• Support the establishment of cooperatives and associations to reduce migration and increase income.

2. Enhance Value Addition in NWFPs

• Develop targeted programs to support SMEs involved in the processing and packaging of NWFPs.
• Strengthen local value chains to improve returns and reduce dependency on low-value forest products.

3. Improve Forest Management and Institutional Support

• Expand the National Forestry Inventory (NFI) to include more detailed and timely data.
• Use NFI data to inform the design and implementation of development programs for forest communities.

4. Strengthen Social Programs and Support Mechanisms

• Focus on providing targeted financial support to poor households, particularly in the form of grants and loans for productive assets.
• Develop policies that address the specific needs of forest-dependent communities, including access to pensions and other social transfers.

Conclusion

The report highlights the complex interplay between poverty, forest dependence, and migration in Turkey's forest communities. It underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable forest management. By enhancing income diversification, supporting value-added activities, and improving data collection and policy design, the GDF can address the challenges of out-migration and low productivity in the forest sector.