On-Going Research Capital Projects

The Institute presently execute twelve research capital projects and two service projects. In additions five special projects in various stages of completion are being undertaken. The research projects include:

(1) Improving the Growth, Establishment and Yield of high Quality and General purpose Timber and Pulpwood Species

  The project involves research into the development of appropriate techniques for improving the growth, establishment and yield of indigenous hard-wood timber species as well as pulpwood species such as Gmelina arborea and pines for meeting afforestation needs of the country.

(2) Supply of improved (breeders) Forest Tree Seeds

The objective is the production of high quality seeds and other planting materials for the various forestry projects in the country. Research on vegetative propagation is also carried out on tree species that fruit irregularly.

(3) Agroforestry Research

This concerns investigations into all forms of land resources management techniques for soil fertility replenishment and the sustained production of food crops and forest crops simultaneously on the same piece of land.

(4) Research into the Development and Improvement of non-wood Forest Resources of the Savanna and Rain Forest

Activities under this project involve identification, collection, and conservation of the genetic resources as well as developing cultural techniques for the non-wood species of savanna and high forests. Such non-wood resources include gum, tannin, medicinal plants, sericulture and edible fruits.

(5) Conservation of Natural Vegetation, Types and their Genetic Materials

Research activities under this project are focused on the preservation of the biodiversity of the Nigerian eco-system by collecting and identifying plant specimens from all parts of the country. Taxonomic and ethnobotatical studies are also undertaken

(6) Research into Production of wildlife

This is projects concerns research aimed at providing effective wildlife conservation, management and utilization in the country. Domestication, mulriplication and ecological distribution studies of some selected wildlife are carried out.

(7) Arid and Semi Arid Zone Savanna Afforestion

This project focuses on selection of suitable species, growth studies and development of appropriate techniques for plantation establishment in the semi-arid zones of the country.

(8) Afforestation of Ecologically Degraded Sites

Research into the selection of suitable plant species and methods of their establishment for reclaiming degraded sites such as mine spoils, erosion sites sand dune areas.

(9) Improvement of timber utilization and Research into Development of Wood-based Panel Products.

This research is aimed at improving wood utilization techniques and finding appropriate uses for economic and potentially economic tree species hitherto not used.
The wood/cement based titles production pilot project under this project focus on the utilization of wood waste for the production of wood-cement floors tiles, wall tiles and ceiling boards.

(10) Studies on utilization and Regeneration of the Swamp Forest

Research under this project is targeted at harnessing the resources  of the swamp forests of the country. Studies being carried out include methods of felling, extraction , evacuation of logs, regeneration and reafforestation of exploited swamps.

(11) Forestry Education and Training:

The administration of the Colleges of Forestry, Wildlife Management and Forest Mechanization comes under this project. The staff Development programme of the Institute, States and Federal government is executed under this project.

(12) Dissemination of Forestry, Agroforestry and Wildlife Research Results

It is under this project that the farming system research activities and adoption studies of research results are carried out. The research findings of the Institute are disseminated to the users and feed back conveyed from users to the Institute.

(13) Central Services and Supporting Facilities in the Headquarters and Outstations:

This project is central to the other twelve projects. It includes support services such as Information and Documentation, Biometrics, Laboratory and Maintenance/Estate Services. Also included are the Registry, Records, Stores, Accounts, internal Audit Services and Pension Unit.

(14) Repair of Building / Infrastructural facilities in the Headquarters and Outstations:

This is a maintenance service project aimed at creating a conducive environment for research and other activities of the Institute.