scholarly journals Non-timber Forest Products Value Chain Toward Sustainable Livelihood: Exploring Linkages and Trends Using Visual Optimization Network Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-118
Author(s):  
Ravi Sharma ◽  
◽  
Nisha Bharti ◽  

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute significantly to the livelihood, food, and nutrition security of rural communities and forest dwellers. Earlier studies on NTFPs emphasized the economic importance, sustainability aspects, and commercialization of NTFPs, and highlighted the importance of strong value chains if NTFPs were to fulfill their economic potential for communities and people who rely on them. Formulation of proper policy and commercialization of NTFPs through their value chain will require a thorough review of existing research to identify the policy loopholes. A review of literature sought to determine whether research on NTFPs links to sustainable livelihood, policy, and value chains using clustering and visual network visualization. The results of the study reveal four domain clusters indicating a mix of traditional and evolved approaches toward strengthening of the NTFP value chain. Policy issues on NTFP have also evolved as one of the important clusters of research. The study recommends the mapping of value chains in the NTFP research to guide the pursuit of holistic and sustainable livelihood security.

1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
A Paudel ◽  
BP Subedi ◽  
S Gyawali ◽  
GK Thapa ◽  
MB Sharma

This study was carried out in five Village Development Committees of Baglung district, Nepal. The main objective was to assess the constraints and opportunities to run the non-timber forest products based enterprises, and to design business solutions to make their value chains more efficient and competitive with the best utilization of the available resources. Primary data were collected through group discussions, key informants interview, informal meetings and direct observations, using open-ended questionnaires and checklists. Similarly, secondary data were gathered from reports and records of community forest user groups, District Forest Office and other organizations. The data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative tools. The identified major constraints concerning the selected value chains are: absence of detailed resource inventory; inadequate knowledge and skills with local people about modern technology and product quality parameters, local resource management policy and sustainable resource harvesting; insufficient finance with local processors; lack of sufficient information about market; and poor infrastructure development. In addition, the study also identified a number of opportunities such as the resource potential and monetary benefits to the local people; financial access through community forest user groups' fund and financial institutions; growing market demand for quality products; involvement of service providers in forest resource management; and supportive policy for employment generation from locally available natural resources. This paper has suggested some business solutions for the effective value chain of selected products. Key words: Business solution; constraints; non-timber forest products; opportunities; value chain DOI: 10.3126/banko.v19i2.2983 Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No.2 2009 pp.33-41


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 128-137
Author(s):  
Bharat Gotame

Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in mountains are one of the enormously valued ecosystem services due to their contribution to the livelihood of people. Pine resin is one of the viable NTFP in middle mountain of Nepal which is tapped from Pinus roxbhurghii tree and can be used in paints, varnishes, stimulant, anti-spasmodic, astringent, diuretic and anti-pathogenic and so on. This piece of work is an attempt to review the current status of pine resin collection enterprise in Nepalese Community Forests and its contribution to the livelihood of Community forest users in mid-hill region. Typically, existing legislations and guidelines have high potential to endure the sustainable livelihood promotion by resin tapping enterprise but the endeavors of revitalizing the financial benefit sharing and governance system is still far. The valued contribution of resin enterprise to sustainable livelihood of users is not impossible but it needs greater effort of all stakeholders. For example, partial intervention to market, involvement of poorer households, improve the local and regional governance and so on. Participatory monitoring of collection work and proper enforcement of sustainable harvesting procedure both have to be improved in state of arts that could finally recognize the rational benefit sharing mechanism among various value chain actors from collector to international traders which is indispensable. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/init.v5i0.10262 The Initiation 2013 Vol.5; 128-137


2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 725-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Willem te Velde ◽  
Jonathan Rushton ◽  
Kathrin Schreckenberg ◽  
Elaine Marshall ◽  
Fabrice Edouard ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALAINE A. BALL ◽  
PEDRO H.S. BRANCALION

SUMMARYWhile conservation and development projects focusing on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) remain popular approaches to address complex issues of livelihood improvement and conservation, governance of NTFPs is still poorly understood. In the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot of Brazil, non-governmental organizations, researchers and community leaders are encouraging the commercialization of fruit pulp-based products from the endangered palm Euterpe edulis, known as juçara, to replace income from illegal heart of palm extraction. In order to assess the governance of development of juçara pulp as an NTFP and the potential to increase conservation of juçara through management on smallholder properties, we conducted qualitative research in São Paulo State from October 2012 to October 2013. Major challenges include policy barriers, difficulties integrating production and commercialization, problematic assumptions about poverty alleviation and the inability of the most disadvantaged members of communities to benefit. These governance challenges are a function of poor access, or the ‘bundle of powers’ that enables the ability to benefit. However, engagement with juçara fruit pulp production links farmers and former poachers with sustainable agricultural concepts and with networks, changing their perceptions of conservation and enhancing ability to benefit from improved policy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 053-059
Author(s):  
Sunil Prasad ◽  
◽  
Dhanpal Singh Chauhan ◽  

The state Jharkhand is one of the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) rich states of the country because of diverse physiographic and climatic conditions. It is known for its mineral wealth, tribal population and forests. NTFPs play an important role in supporting rural livelihoods and food security in tribal Jharkhand. The present study was carried out in three distinct villages of Jharkhand to explore the range of livelihood contributions of NTFPs. The study was based on empirical fieldwork using both quantitative and qualitative data. A structured interview schedule was managed for the respondents. Comparing income sources, we found that most of the households collect NTFPs and earn a handsome amount of income from NTFPs ranges from 33% to 59%. We also prioritized potential NTFPs along with their basic value chain.


2005 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chennat Gopalakrishnan ◽  
W.A.R. Wickramasinghe ◽  
H.M. Gunatilake ◽  
Prabodh Illukpitiya

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meinhold ◽  
Darr

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.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1224
Author(s):  
Adolphe O. Debrot ◽  
Ab Veldhuizen ◽  
Sander W. K. van den Burg ◽  
Charlotte J. Klapwijk ◽  
Md. Nazrul Islam ◽  
...  

Mangroves of tropical and subtropical shores and deltas contribute to ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing in numerous ways but continue to be lost or degraded worldwide at a rapid pace. Overexploitation driven by poverty is often the root cause of mangrove destruction and degradation. The negative feedback cycle between destruction and poverty can only be broken by justly valuing current or introducing new sustainable livelihood options to foster long-lasting local support for mangroves. The large array of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that mangroves offer have rarely been developed beyond the subsistence level and remain undervalued as “products of the poor”. In light of the global trends towards sustainability and bio-economy, today they represent a major business opportunity for forest communities to produce high value-added end-user products. Even though mangrove NTFPs have been recognized to have high potential toward inclusive development and poverty alleviation and to be highly gender-equal, the development of mangrove NTFPs has continued to attract very little funding or research interest. Several ecological characteristics make commercialization of mangrove NTFPs particularly challenging. Production at economies of scale, including quality standards, as well as marketing and value chain management are all essential in order to develop these products beyond their subsistence role. To be most effective, a systems perspective on NTFP development is needed, whereby product-market development occurs in unison and based on a participative, inclusive and fair development approach. The species/product of choice for value-added product-market development in any specific community or area will depend on several factors. To address many of the typical constraints and maximize the chances of success, we suggest that the use of village or district-level cooperatives may be particularly useful. A better use of the untapped potential of mangroves for local livelihoods may form a most convincing advocate for local protection and restoration of mangrove forests. Therefore, funding agencies, governments and researchers alike are called to invest in mangrove NTFP development as a way to locally incentivize sustainable mangrove protection and restoration.


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