s:979:"%T Evolving operational upland policies 
%A Thomas, D.E. 
%X The National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES) coordinates agriculture integrated watershed  management  and  forestry  sectors  to  facilitate  the  transformation  of  upland  livelihoods  with the  aim  of  reducing  rural  poverty  and  conserving  natural  resources.  There  are  five  major  policy  themes relevant  to  upland  development.It is claimed that for shifting cultivation to be sustainable a cycle of 20 to 25 years is needed to give  forests  a  chance  to  recover  before  being  'slashed-and-burned'  again.  The  government  sees shifting cultivation as unsustainable and intends to stop it by:
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making agriculture sedentary through diversification and agro-forestry „ opening market access through feeder roads and market information„ land allocation and land use entitlements (MAF 1999 „ land use zoning based on slope and land capability „ rural savings and credit 
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