Zambia: Pilot project to inventory the country’s forests.
Forest Inventory Remote sensing and artificial intelligence Skills enhancement
Context
The Zambian Forestry Department requested support from AFD to design a new national forest inventory methodology. ONF International undertook to lead this strategic initiative and is applying French expertise in forest management. The organisation is mobilising its network of experts and specialist partners, notably Dataterra and IGNFI, to provide effective support to the Zambian authorities in establishing a modern, reliable inventory tailored to the country’s context.
Activities carried out
To improve knowledge of Zambian forests and support the implementation of sustainable management, the project has mobilised a series of concrete and structural actions.
- Production of ‘forest/non-forest’ maps for Mulobezi and Ngabwe, incorporating four distinct types of forest.
- Development of a national forest inventory methodology, ready for large-scale deployment.
- Training of Forest Department officials in mapping tools, inventory techniques and data collection.
- Conducting a pilot inventory in both districts to test and validate the methodology in the field.
These interventions lay the foundations for modern, reliable and sustainable forest management in Zambia.
The project in figures
1,6 Mha
Forest inventory of two districts, covering approximately 1.6 million hectares
Training
Training of Forestry Department staff in inventory and mapping techniques
CO2
Estimated CO₂ stored in nearly 1.6 million hectares of forest
Project details
Set amid the landscapes of Mulobezi and Ngabwe, the project deploys modern tools, trains local teams and tests a national forest inventory methodology. It is a concrete step towards giving Zambia the means to better understand and protect its forests.
Training session for the inventory team on the inventory protocol, in Sesheke, Western Province
Forestry Department agents undergoing training in the application of the forest inventory protocol
The inventory team from the Central Province Forestry Department during training on the inventory protocol.
Conducting a forest inventory in the Ngabwe District, Central Province of Zambia
With the arrival of the rains, Ngabwe's inventory teams are preparing to face more challenging conditions.
Training of Western Province staff on inventory protocol
Expected results
A solid methodological basis for a modern and reliable national forest inventory.
- Budget
- 460 000 €
- Partners
- IGN FI and Data Terra
- Beneficiaries
- Zambian Forestry Department
- Donor
- French Development Agency
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