Socio-economic predictors of dependence on Non-timber forest products: lessons from Mabira Central Forest Reserve Communities

Abstract

Resource user surveys were conducted in 14 villages of Mabira central forest reserve. The study was intended to assess factors that encourage dependency on non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Understanding NTFP dependence is instrumental in guiding plans of forest use. The study was based on the hypothesis that forest income is more important to poor than wealthier households. Stratified random sampling was used to select NTFP users in different use categories per village. Information on household income of NTFP users was obtained using semi structured questionnaires and relative NTFP income was calculated. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse factors that influence NTFP dependence. 277 respondents used and sold a variety of products including; charcoal, firewood, fodder, construction materials, secondary products of NTFPs, medicinal and wild edible plants. Relative NTFP income was highest (53%) for poor households. 56% of households surveyed were dependent on NTFPs. Age, other income, household head, wealth quintile and distance from the forest significantly affected NTFP dependence. The high dependence on NTFPs is critical in development of management strategies that enhance conservation of the forest by focusing on women and the poor to avoid negative impact on their wellbeing.

Socio-economic factors influencing land-use and land-cover changes in the miombo woodlands of the Copperbelt province in Zambia

“…Furthermore, the results showed significant association between household size and collection of construction poles, wild fruits and thatching grass. This is reinforced by existing research findings in Ethiopia (Mamo et al, 2007), Burkina Faso (Coulibaly-Lingani et al, 2009) and Uganda (Tugume et al, 2015) who observed a positive correlation between dependence on forest products and household size. This suggests that households with large families, especially those with limited income opportunities, are more dependent on forest resources to fulfil their basic needs (see Bhandari and Jianhua, 2017).…”

“…This may underline the local communities' over dependence on forest products for livelihood due to limited capacity to seek employment opportunities in the formal sector. Higher education levels are associated with low dependence on forests for livelihoods and this is mainly because education provides a wider range of employment opportunities in other sectors of the economy (see Adhikari et al, 2004;Mamo et al, 2007;Tugume et al, 2015) and generally wider asset base (Timko et al, 2010). Furthermore, Coulibaly-Lingani et al (2009) observed that education substantially influenced individuals' access to Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).…”

“…Although there have been some studies on socio-economic aspect of forest resource use and its influence on LULC change in sub-Saharan Africa (Tugume et al, 2015;Alelign et al, 2011;Giliba et al, 2011;Nzunda et al, 2013), variations in ethnicity and cultural orientation influence use of forest resources differently. Furthermore, differences in demand-led variability in biophysical and socio-economic factors have been reported to lead to countries experiencing different rates and trajectories of land use (see Ashraf et al, 2017).…”

Assessment of forest management practices and livelihood income around Arero dry Afromontane forest of Southern Oromia Region in Borana Zone, South Ethiopia

“…The local households generate income from different activities like agriculture, livestock, and forestry related activities. The forest resources have input to local household economy providing timber and Non-Timber Forest Product Resources (Tugume et al, 2015). The input from Non-Timber Forest Product Resources (NTFPs) highly depends on the quality of forest resources, market availability and access situation.…”

“…Accelerated human population growth in the tropics mostly coupled with poverty has enhanced the negative human impact on the forest resources. Among the tropical forests, dry forests have been preferred for human settlement than wetter forest zones, due to different biological and ecological reasons (Tugume et al, 2015). In Ethiopia where the livelihood of 83% of the population resides in the rural area and dependent on natural resources particularly renewable natural resources, the pressure on forest resources are high.…”