The perception of locals on commercialisation and value addition of non-Timber Forest products in forest adjacent communities in Ghana

Abstract

Residents living adjacent to forests commonly gather non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for income, nourishment, ailment treatment, firewood, religious reasons, and artefacts. This study focused on the locals’ perception of NTFP value addition in forest-adjacent communities in Ghana. To determine which NTFPs are collected, we interviewed 732 residents about their perception of value addition to the NTFPs collected and if value addition has impacted the commercialisation and quality of the products obtained from the forest. We found that 97.5% of those surveyed frequently visited the forest to gather different NTFPs. For example, mushrooms, snails, honey and others were the most collected. Also, most interviewees do not process or add value to the NTFPs collected from the forest; thus, adding value to these NTFPs could increase incomes in the future. Future research should focus on educating locals about the value addition to NTFPs, and processes for increasing the price of NTFPs by adding value and commercialising these products. Proper commercialising of NTFPs will help improve the lives of the locals.

Assessing the Influence of Social Factors on Local Perceptions of Climate Change, Product Value Addition, Multiple Uses of NTFPs, and Their Influence on Poverty Alleviation in Ghana

“…Local communities have a comprehensive understanding of NTFPs, encompassing their various uses, economic value, and potential to alleviate poverty [48]. They are wellacquainted with the different types of NTFPs available in their region and recognise their versatility in serving multiple purposes, including medicine, food, leisure, religion, sale, construction, and handicrafts [38,39]. Moreover, locals know the economic value associated with NTFPs, acknowledging their capacity to generate income and improve household livelihoods.…”

“…The primary economic activities in these selected areas revolve around agriculture (farming), trade, commerce, and services, encompassing hotels, auto mechanics, sawmills, and banks. The study areas are characterised by lush and varied vegetation, including towering canopy trees, understorey plants, and a rich array of plant and animal species, as documented by [39] (Figure 1). The study area is in the Tropical Rainforest Climatic Zone, characterised by various tree species such as Onyina, Odum, Wawa, Mahogany, Sapele, Emire Asamfina, Red cedar, and others.…”

“…In the NTFP value chain, education can increase awareness of the benefits of value addition [36,37]. A higher level of education increases locals' understanding of the potential for income generation through value addition [38,39]. In addition to improving access to market information, education can help locals identify value-added opportunities and target specific markets.…”

Factors that Influence Local Perceptions of Climate Change, Product Value Addition, Multiple Uses of NTFPs, and Their Impact on Poverty Alleviation in Ghana

“…The primary economic activities in these selected areas revolve around agriculture (farming), trade, commerce, and services, which encompass hotels, auto mechanics, sawmills, and banks, among others. The study areas are characterised by lush and varied vegetation, including towering canopy trees, understorey plants, and a rich array of plant and animal species, as documented by (Asamoah, Danquah, Bamsiegwe, et al, 2023). The study area is situated in the Tropical Rainforest Climatic Zone characterized by various tree species such as Onyina, Odum, Wawa, Mahogany, Sapele, Emire Asamfina, Red cedar, and others.…”

“…In the NTFPs value chain, education can increase awareness of the benefits of value addition (Ahenkan & Boo, 2011;Magry et al, 2022a). A higher level of education increases locals' understanding of the potential for income generation through value addition (Ahenkan & Boon, 2010;Asamoah, Danquah, Bamsiegwe, et al, 2023). In addition to improving access to market information, education can help locals identify value-added opportunities and target specific markets.…”