THE Canadian Industrial Development Agency (CIDA) has pledged another J$50-m (Cdn $2-m) for the “Trees For Tomorrow” project of the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The 10 year-old project, which has already completed two phases funded by the Government of Jamaica and CIDA is designed to improve the management and conservation of forests and the tree crops in Jamaica. It has three specific goals — industrial strengthening, forest management and watershed management.

John Robinson, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, announced the extension of the programme and the provision of the additional funds at last week’s “Roundtable for Partners in Development” hosted by the Forestry Department at Le Méridien Jamaica Pegasus to present their National Forest Management & Conversation Plan (NFMCP).

Robinson said that through the Trees For Tomorrow project, “Great strides have been made in modernising Jamaica’s approach to forest management and building the capacity of the Forestry Department.” CIDA, he noted, has been pleased with the results that have emerged from the project.

He also revealed that an independent evaluation conducted in late 2000 concluded that, “the project had made a significant contribution to forestry in Jamaica, assisting the Forestry Department in improving performance, while increasing capacity, professionalism and credibility as well as increasing awareness of the values of the forest to society.”

The report also noted the strong commitment and financial support from the Government of Jamaica which is crucial to achieving project goals and sustainability.