Toward Sustainable Livelihoods and the Use of Non-Timber Forest Products in Southeast Cameroon: An Overview of the Forest-Savanna Sustainability Project (original) (raw)
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Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry
Interest in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has increased due to their role in poverty reduction, conservation, and food security. However, data on the current environmental and socio-economic aspects of NTFPs harvests are sparse. Using secondary data from literature review as well as participatory rural appraisal tools, information was gathered on NTFPs collectors, and on the relative socio-economic importance of the main NTFPs collected, collectors’ access to NTFPs and sustainability of collection in major collection sites in the South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon. An estimated 5500 collectors of NTFPs operate in the South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon. The study revealed that NTFPs are important in the livelihoods of the village communities in the study area constituting 33% to their household income after agriculture (50.6%). The most important NTFPs collected in the study area were Gnetum spp., Irvingia spp., and Ricinodendron heudelotii. In important harves...
Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology
Nguti is one of the three Sub-divisions in Kupe Muanenguba Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. This Sub-division is endowed with great potentials and diversity in Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) resulting from the eco-floristic composition within the sub-division. The objective of this study is to investigate the challenges that are plaguing the exploitation of NTFPs and present management options for sustainability. Secondary data were collected from published and unpublished sources whereas primary data tools included questionnaires, interviews and participant observations. Findings showed that Nguti Sub-division has endowed with enormous forest entities and rich in several NTFPs ranging from nuts, seeds, barks, leaves, trees and roots as well as several species of bush meat. Five major challenges viz. transformation and storage, government policies and customary regulations, depletion and scarcity of resources, deforestation and poaching as well as population pressu...
Challenges to governing sustainable forest food: Irvingia spp. from southern Cameroon
Forest Policy and Economics, 2017
Across the Congo Basin, bush mango (Irvingia spp.) nuts have been harvested from forest landscapes for consumption, sold as a foodstuff and for medicine for centuries. Data on this trade however are sparse. A value chain approach was used to gather information on stakeholders in the chain from the harvesters in three major production areas in Cameroon to traders in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea, the socioeconomic values, environmental sustainability and governance. Around 5190 people work in the complex chain in Cameroon with an estimated 4109 tons harvested on average annually in the period 2007 to 2010. Bush mango incomes contribute on average to 31% of harvester's annual incomes and dependence increases for those further from the forest. Customary rules govern access to resources. Although regulations exist, most trade is illegal, with corruption and collective action governing access to markets. The majority of nuts harvested are sustainably collected. Although 51% of the harvest is sourced from the forest, trees are also managed on cultivated land. Forest degradation and deforestation threaten the species. Policy measures such as linking stakeholders, promoting cultivation, pragmatic regulation, and supporting processer groups may make trade in this forest food more sustainable.
Valorization of non-timber forest products in Mayo-Rey (North Cameroon)
Journal of Applied Biosciences, 2017
Objective: Studies were conducted to characterize the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) from the locality of Mayo-Rey in the North Region of Cameroon for their subsequent domestication. Methodology and Results: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 200 people drawn from four ethnic groups (Laka, Lamé, Peulh and Toupouri). This study has identified 107 plant species including 54 species food (vegetables, fruits and traditional drinks). The species Dioscorea bulbifera, Burnatia sp., Parkia biglobosa, Detarium microcarpum, Adansonia digitata, Vitellaria paradoxa, Ziziphus mauritiana, Ximenia americana and Vitex doniana were identified as major species of this town, due to their socioeconomic importance. Plant parts used in the diet are descending fruits (53.70%), seeds (25.92%), leaves (22.22%), tubers (16.66%), the flowers (3.70%) and other (3.7%).Analyses on food uses indicates that 40 respondents use them as recipes involve fruits and 11 use them to prepare sauce. Three (3) species are commonly used for the preparation of pap, 8 species for the preparation of cuscus and 3 species for the preparation drink. Conclusion and application of results: The exploitation of these species remains traditional, sometimes leading to overexploitation of the resource and therefore a loss of biodiversity. For sustainable management of these resources, domestication of preferred species could be considered.
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2021
This study was carried out in Oku, Bui Division, North West Cameroon with the aim of examining the uses of four selected Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) (Fuel wood, Alpine bamboo, Honey, and Bushmeat-Rodents) by households. Data were collected from randomly selected 400 households in 8 villages using semi-structured questionnaire. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that Fuelwood was most exploited by Households (80.75%), followed by Alpine bamboo (68.5%), Honey (50%) and Rodents (38%). A great number of households exploited all the four NTFPs under review (20.75%). Just a few households collected only one NTFP (24.25%) while 75.75% collect at least two NTFPs. NTFPs were mostly collected in the households for both consumption and commercial purposes (90.5%), while 9.5% were collected for consumption purposes only. No households indicated that they collected NTFPs for commercial purposes only. The NTFPs were mainly used by Households for food, medicine, construction, culture and as tools, with "tools only" being the greatest use. From field findings, it can be concluded that respondents could not do without these NTFPs in their daily domestic activities as they serve as sources of food, medicine, income and thus means of livelihood. We therefore recommend that households should exploit sustainably and the government and NGOs should keep educating households on more sustainable ways of using the forest.
National Journal of Environmental Law, 2022
According to Mahongol, 72% of the National territory is covered with forest. This forest is made up of the dense humid and the tropical forests in which we find resources in it made of timber and non-timber forestry products, which are both of vegetative (plants) and animal origin. Research on non-timber forestry products found in most of the forests in Boumnyebel-Cameroon has a focus on the ability to be produced as commodities for rural income and markets as an expression of traditional knowledge or as a livelihood option for rural household needs and as a key component of sustainable forest management and conservation strategies. Most of these resources exploited do not only provide rural income but also contribute greatly for the development of the country as a whole and even those found around the sub regional Africa including the Congo Basin are not left out. The harvesting of these resources is not properly controlled and documented in order to know those that merit exploitation and those that do not. It is through this light that research and studies have been put in place since the past years and up till date in professional institutions for students and researchers to be able to carry out practical work on the field so that what that was thought theoretically in school can be better understood on the field on how the exploitation of forest resources contributes so much greatly for the socioeconomic development of the country. The main objective in this study is to identify the most exploited species and their origin. Specifically, it aims at identifying the most exploited non timber forest products, determine the origin of these non-timber forest products and identify the persons involved in the harvesting of timber forest products.
2020
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) draw attentions as resources that can improve rural livelihoods. This paper describes how local people in southeast Cameroon developed the trade in Irvingia gabonensis kernels, one of the most important NTFPs in the area, focusing on relationships between the Baka hunter-gatherers and Bantu farmers. Transactions between the Baka and Bantu are generally practiced as a form of "time-lagged barter". When the Baka go to forest camps to gather the kernels, the Bantu give them a variety of goods in advance, typically alcoholic drinks, which account for 37% of the converted monetary value. Subsequently, the Bantu visit Baka camps to retrieve the kernels and transport them to sell to merchants in the village. For the Bantu, to give the Baka alcoholic drinks is the easiest way to maximize the amount of kernels they get. There is considerable disparity in the profit distribution between the Baka and Bantu. The latter get seven times more net profit per capita than the former. The unreflective promotion of NTFP trade will clearly widen the disparity between the ethnic groups and undermine the quality of life of the Baka. When promoting NTFP trade as a tool for improving the livelihoods of local people in southeast Cameroon, measures to reduce unhealthy goods from the transactions and to mitigate the disparity in profit distribution, based on a deep understanding of the complex relationships among local people, are essential.
Review of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Central Africa: Cameroon
2010
were reviewed, filling the gap since the last national and regional studies in 1998 and 2004. Comprehensive data about nationally representative consumption, trade volumes and values exists only for some NTFPs. This absence explains why data from the 1990s are often reiterated and large gaps remain in scientific knowledge about species and the absence of sustainable consumption patterns and trade for many species. It also explains the inconsistencies in regulations and policy making. The Cameroonian 1994 Forestry Law identifies and sets out controls for 'Special Forestry Products', many of which are NTFPs. However it does not define NTFPs nor is there an explicit logic in the selection of products or prioritisation of NTFPs to enable sustainable management or monitoring.
Non-Timber Forest Products use in the Gazetted Forest of Dogo-Kétou, Benin (West Africa)
International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences
The role of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for livelihood improvement among local communities and to support forest management has nowadays received increased attention. Although knowledge about the importance of NTFPs is not new, their consideration in the management plans of several protected forests in Benin has been poor. This study aimed at assessing the socio-cultural importance of NTFPs in sustaining livelihood of adjacent local communities to the Dogo-Ketou forest in order to help forest managers to enhance strategies for NTFPs valorisation in this forest management. Data on popular NTFPs were collected through structured interviews administered to 254 households. A total of 78 plant species were harvested by the local people. About 66.53% of households were mostly dependent on Dogo-Ketou forest for medicine, food, firewood and construction. Food use was the NTFPs category of high consensus (ICF Food = 0.98). Khaya senegalensis (RFC = 0.73) represented the most important local plant species used for medicinal purposes. High cultural significant index was recorded for Elaeis guineensis (CSI = 33.81). NTFPs harvest was significantly influenced by households' size, average monthly income, gender and distance to forest and households' home (p<0.05). This research suggests key species which can be promoted by the forest managers in order to sustain the adjacent communities' livelihoods and to enhance their participation in forest conservation.
Asian journal of ethnobiology, 2023
Forest areas dedicated to research and education, such as the Kebe Block Forest (KBF), Cameroon, have a high plant diversity, some of which are of socioeconomic importance to local populations. Knowing that the objectives of the KBF are well defined, this study aimed to identify forest plant species of socioeconomic importance to the local populations living around the KBF. Also, this study aimed to propose strategies that reconcile the local population's well-being and the preservation of the KBF. Given the high dependence of local communities on the forest, a socioeconomic survey was carried out in 51 households. Therefore, 40 species of socioeconomic importance were found, and six products and services, namely food, medicinal products, raw materials for handicrafts, edible caterpillar species, timber, and income generating, were identified. For 86% of the local people, the availability of these plant species has decreased significantly compared to 10 years ago; the main causes identified were illegal logging (32%) and agriculture (21%). According to occurrence frequency citation, Baillonella toxisperma Pierre (65%), Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill. (38%), and Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Heckel (30%) were identified as the flagship socioeconomic plant species that local people would like to introduce into their farms to ensure their sustainability. Identifying plant species of socioeconomic importance, their availability, and their threats provides substantial information that could help the authorities manage the KBF to plan conservation activities better, considering the local population's well-being.