Paper: Measuring the Forest and Income Impacts of Forest User Group Participation Under Malawi's Forest Co-management Program

The research team evaluates the impacts of forest user group participation under Malawi's Forest Co-management Program on forest clearing and household income. Using panel data collected in 2002 and 2009 in two districts of Malawi, they employ a two-step regression strategy to control for endogenous selection into the program. Using propensity score weighting and propensity score analysis with non-parametric regression, the team finds that the program lowered the rate and extent of forest clearing. Also, the team finds that the program had no discernible impact on household forest incomes, suggesting that the program helped achieve environmental goals without compromising household livelihoods.

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