Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products to the income and household food security in the Sanaga-Maritime Division, Littoral region, Cameroon (Published)
Cameroon’s tropical forests possess many resources, including Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). The present research therefore aims to highlight the contribution of NTFPs to household income and food security in the Sanaga-Maritime Division where the destruction of this resource has been observed for the benefit of oil palm production. Specifically, the aim is to identify the different NTFPs exploited in the sub-divisions of Dizangue, Ngwei and Pouma; – to estimate the contribution of NTFPs to household income; – to analyze the contribution of NTFPs to household food security and to identify the constraints related to the exploitation of NTFPs in these localities. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaires administered to the different categories of NTFP household users. A total of 104 households were interviewed, including 90 operators, 02 traders and 12 consumers. The SPSS 14.0 software and the Excel spreadsheet was used to analyze the data collected. Descriptive statistics as well as econometric logistic regression model combined with the Access Scale tool determining household food insecurity was used to realise the objectives of the study. The results show that the most exploited NTFPs were the leaves of Gnetum africanum, the fruits of Dacryodes edulis and Irvingia gabonensis. Therefore, agriculture remains the main source of income for the households surveyed (32%). However, NTFPs harvested contribute 19.5% of household income. The logistic regression model demonstrated that the consumption of NTFPs from picking, although not significant, positively influenced food security of surveyed households. Factors such as income and household size significantly affect food security. Despite the fact that users of NTFP faced some constraints, some of them still put in place strategies to ensure the sustainability of those resources.
Keywords: Food Security, Household, Income, Non Timber Forest Products
Economics of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPS) Marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria (Published)
Non-Timber Forest Products are capable of providing food, medicine and income to sustain livelihood. The study investigated the economics of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified the major NTFPs present in the study area; examined the marketing channel of NTFP; ascertained profitability of NTFP marketing as well as constraints faced by the NTFP traders. Forty NTFP traders were interviewed using structured questionnaire from two markets in Ikwuano Local Government Area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Net Income and Profitability Index. Results showed that trade in NTFPs is profitable with Net Income of N180/2kg and N250/2kg from Ukazi leaf (Gnetum africanum) and oil bean seed (Pentachlethra macrophylla) traded. The profitability index was 0.18kobo and 0.16kobo respectively. There is need for support from research institutes and the government to harness the sustainable extraction and further processing of these NTFPs.
Keywords: Ikwuano, Marketing, Nigeria, Non Timber Forest Products
Vol 4, Issue 2, May 2016 ()
Keywords: Ikwuano, Marketing, Nigeria, Non Timber Forest Products