The Socio-economic Importance and Sustainability of the Major Non-Timber Forest Products Collected in the South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon

Abstract

Interest in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has increased due to their role in poverty reduction, conservation, and food security. However, data on the current environmental and socio-economic aspects of NTFPs harvests are sparse. Using secondary data from literature review as well as participatory rural appraisal tools, information was gathered on NTFPs collectors, and on the relative socio-economic importance of the main NTFPs collected, collectors’ access to NTFPs and sustainability of collection in major collection sites in the South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon. An estimated 5500 collectors of NTFPs operate in the South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon. The study revealed that NTFPs are important in the livelihoods of the village communities in the study area constituting 33% to their household income after agriculture (50.6%). The most important NTFPs collected in the study area were Gnetum spp., Irvingia spp., and Ricinodendron heudelotii. In important harvest divisions like the Manyu and Mungo divisions, the contribution of Gnetum spp. and Irvingia spp. to collectors NTFP related income is statistically significant (chi squared-test X2; p<0.05). Increasing harvests, combined with insufficient regulatory and customary control have led to a situation of long-term unsustainable collection. While NTFP collection is essential in providing income to collectors, their exploitation is failing to contribute in meeting environmental sustainability goals. This study concludes that domestication and awareness raising programs could lessen the pressure on the forest resource base and effective regulatory and customary control measures, if implemented and enforced, could limit over-exploitation and enhance sustainable collection and trade in NTFPs.