Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : structural adjustment policies and the management of soil- and forest resources in Tanzania

Abstract

The Ecology and Development Programme aims at identifying effects of Stabilisation and Structural Adjustment Policies (SAP) on the management of soil and forest resources in Tanzania. For studying the effects of policy changes on soil degradation and deforestation, economywide models are necessary. Tentative conclusions indicate both positive and negative environmental effects of the SAP. Negative effects may to a large extent be dealt with through policies directed at the specific problem, e.g., where the SAP increases the profitability of extracting an open access resource this can effectively be addressed by introducing a tenure regime which restricts access to the resource. This points to the possibility of designing environmental policies that are compatible with the aims of structural adjustment.