Vegetal non-timber forest products in Cameroon, contribution to the national economy

Awono, A.; Atyi, R. Eba'a; Foundjem-Tita, Divine; Levang, Patrice

doi:10.1505/146554816819683708

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…Provisions of cash income and subsequent entry into the cash economy are further benefits of NTFPs [30,31], although income contribution may strongly vary depending on ecological and socioeconomic settings [32]. The often-overlooked contribution of NTFPs to national economies can be substantial [33][34][35]. Against this background, the commercialization of NTFPs, which can occur via selling raw or processed resources, has often been promoted, since it can potentially fulfil both conservation and development objectives and lead to livelihood diversification [36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Processing of Non-Timber Forest Products through Small and Medium Enterprises—A Review of Enabling and Constraining Factors

Meinhold

Darr

2019

Forests

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Research Highlights: This study reviews the available literature on processed non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in order to comprehensively identify relevant factors enabling or constraining their potential to contribute to rural development. Background and Objectives: NTFPs, such as wild foods, medicinal plants, and raw materials for handicrafts, make significant contributions to rural livelihoods. NTFPs can help fulfil households' subsistence and consumption needs, serve as a safety-net in times of crises, and provide cash income. In particular, the processing of NTFPs has often been suggested to positively influence sustainable economic development in rural areas. However, despite rising interest and recognition of the potential contributions of such industries as key sources of employment and their strategic role in overall growth strategies of developing countries, many NTFP processing enterprises remain in the informal sector and an in-depth understanding of the underlying factors is lacking. This review aims to identify enabling and constraining factors affecting NTFP processing enterprises. Materials and Methods: Using systematic review methodology, studies investigating commercialized, processed NTFPs and their economic impacts have been identified and the current evidence base with regard to NTFP processing and small and medium sized enterprise (SME) development synthesized. Results: Despite the diverse nature of NTFPs, a number of constraining and enabling factors affecting NTFP processing and commercialization were identified. The former includes aspects such as the lack of resource access (finances, skills, technologies, etc.), market information, and basic infrastructure; the latter, amongst others, the role of key entrepreneurs; and cooperation across the value chain, amongst producers, and among members of the institutional environment or an abundant resource base. Moving from small-scale NTFP commercialization in local markets to more mature NTFP value chains reaching export markets, the increasing role of cooperation and having a supportive institutional framework in place, becomes apparent. Conclusions: Overall, successful NTFP processing strongly depends on the socio-economic and environmental context in question, requiring a holistic approach tailored to the respective context and value chain.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Processing of Non-Timber Forest Products through Small and Medium Enterprises—A Review of Enabling and Constraining Factors

Meinhold

Darr

2019

Forests

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“…In Cameroon, the seeds represent one of the most valuable NTFP with total sold volume estimated up to 50 tons annually, which represents 375 million CFA (660,000 USD) [95]. These values indicate the promising market potential of the seeds as well as unequal distribution in the value chain.…”

Section: Economic Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medicinal Potential, Utilization and Domestication Status of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola Heckel) in West and Central Africa

Maňourová

Leuner

Tchoundjeu³

et al. 2019

Forests

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Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae), known as bitter kola, is a multipurpose tree indigenous to West and Central Africa. This highly preferred species is called “wonder plant” because all of its parts can be used as medicine. Its seeds, the most valued product of the tree, are commonly eaten to prevent/cure gastric disorders and for their typical astringent taste. There is a vast evidence that bioactive components of the seeds can serve as alternative medicine to treat/prevent severe illnesses such as malaria, hepatitis and immune-destructive diseases. Despite the species’ pharmaceutical potential and its high preference by West and Central African communities, G. kola is still at the beginning of its domestication process. Even though, there are numerous scientific articles published on species‘ biological activities, it is a difficult task to find basic information on its diversity, distribution, genetics, silvicultural management or botany. Therefore, in this very first review published on G. kola, we summarize all relevant information known about the species, target some of the challenges connected with its cultivation and propose a leading direction for future research and domestication process.

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“…Given that the majority of rural households in Cameroon are under high pressure in September with the start of the new school year, a great attention has been put on NTFPs by women and children to generate additional income. [32][33][34] The harvest of NTFPs is an ancient activity mainly controlled by women. Along the same line, assessing how men and women access, manage, and use different forest products in the world tropical forest, Sunderland et al 2 found that Africa was the only region in the world where women dominated the NTFP sector.…”

Section: Gendered and Opportunistic Incomementioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of environmental products to the household economy in Cameroon: essential, complementary or trivial?

Awono¹,

Levang²

2018

FREIJ

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The role of environmental products, especially of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the livelihoods of rural people has been underlined by many scholars though their actual contribution to household income remains debated. To some, this contribution is essential while for others it is only complementary or even trivial. In order to contribute to this debate, we analyzed the data collected through 474 household interviews and focus group discussions held in 13 villages in the humid forest zone of Cameroon. The results show that environmental products in general were collected by 96% (East) 76% (South) and 58% (Southwest) of the households interviewed. Though non-negligible in the first two regions, the financial contribution of environmental products to the household economy remains relatively low. However, many households remain attached to NTFPs because they reflect their way of life and food security aspirations. The highest relative contribution of NTFPs (16%) to households' income was obtained from villages in the East populated by Baka pygmies while the highest absolute household income value emerged from villages in the South (XAF 600,000/USD 1,091) where the performance was associated with both forest availability and the willingness of Bantu households to invest their time and knowhow in valuing environmental goods. On the other hand, agriculture was dominant in the three regions with an average annual income of 70%, 46% and 38% respectively for villages in the South, Southwest and East regions.

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Vegetal non-timber forest products in Cameroon, contribution to the national economy

Cited by 25 publications

References 13 publications

The Processing of Non-Timber Forest Products through Small and Medium Enterprises—A Review of Enabling and Constraining Factors

The Processing of Non-Timber Forest Products through Small and Medium Enterprises—A Review of Enabling and Constraining Factors

Medicinal Potential, Utilization and Domestication Status of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola Heckel) in West and Central Africa

Contribution of environmental products to the household economy in Cameroon: essential, complementary or trivial?

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