MARKETING, EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF FOREST PRODUCTS IN
OMO BIOSPHERE RESERVE
2
INTRODUCTION Many rural dwellers in tropical regions depend on forest products for their livelihood and
their income needs. Local markets play an important role in enabling forest-dependent
households to realise a significant part of their cash income through sale of forest
products. Increased urbanisation (as a result of rural to urban migration) is a significant
factor that expands the size of local forest products markets.
The marketing of timber were in the past given prominent consideration and with little or
no consideration of other forest products in almost all the countries of the world. This is
because revenue from timber constitutes the life wire in the economies of many countries
with large forest cover. The heavy reliance on timber as the only valuable product from
the forest, caused any other product in the forest to be called non timber forest product
(NTFPs) ( Faushi 2005)
The term Non timber forest product include a wide range of edibles and non-edibles such
as fruits,seeds,leaves,nuts,bushmeat,root,tubers,fibres,resin,latex,sticks and construction
materials that are sourced directly from the ecosystem. These products may be gathered
or harvested from a variety of life forms for subsistence as well as local or external trade.
Okafor (2004) define NTFPs as forest goods and services providing for subsistence and
trade which exclude commercial exported timber. This include plant and materials use for
food,fuel,forages,fodder,medice,cottage,clothing,construction tools,wrapping materials,
bio-chemicals, fibers, birds, reptiles and fishes for food, fur and feather.
Nevertheless, Non timber forest products (NTFPs) play a significant role in most
developing countries due to their population concentration relying directly on the forest.
As a result of this increase in population figures, less agricultural land is available and
over growing number of people is turning to forest product to supplement income
(Schereckberd 2000). In Nigeria, the revenue of rural dwellers is improved by growing
trees in home, gardens and on farms, leaves rattan, honey, sap, gum and cottage
industries are also source of income. NTFPs help in stabilizing income because they can
be harvested when demanded for farm labor is low and when non timber forest
production is at its peak.
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In connection with this commodity-oriented production, local markets play an important
role for forest-related households who sell forest products. The size of forest products
markets can be substantial. In Nigeria, it is estimated that 78,880 tons of Irvingia spp. are
marketed per year (Department of Forest Resource Management of Nigeria 1986, cited
by Falconer 1990). In Cameroon, Nkongmeneck (1985) estimated the size of the market
for kola nut (Cola acuminata) at 20,400 tons. Falconer and Arnold (1991) cite Moby-Etia
(1982) as estimating the market of palm wine in the Bas-Wouri region of Cameroon to be
6,000 tons per month. In rural Sierra-Leone, more than 50 % of the fuelwood collected is
marketed (Kamara 1986, cited by Falconer and Arnold 1991).
Omo forest reserve is one of the biosphere reserves in Nigeria where relic of tropical rain
forest could be found and with huge potentials. It has been described as one of the few
remaining large blocks of high forest in Nigeria with estimated distance of about 20km
from Atlantic coast in the south western part of Nigeria.(Okali and Adams 1987).every
year tons of NTFPS are harvested and traded from Omo biosphere reserve and facts
shows that rural people in the area have been directly or indirectly involve in NTFPS
marketing for running their livelihood. It is therefore of a significant importance to have
an evaluation of this commodity-oriented production in this area
OBJETIVES
The general objective of this study is to investigate the marketing analysis of forest
products in Omo biosphere reserve. The specific objectives are;
• To determine the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents.
• To determine the marketing channels and the distribution on forest products .
• To identify the forest products prevalence in the area.
• To determine the contribution of forest products to household economy.
• To determine the profitability of forest products.
• To identify the problems in marketing and distribution of forest products in Omo
biosphere reserv
JUSTIFICATION
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Omo biosphere reserve is strict nature reserve in southwest Nigeria, The presence of
economically important wood species has brought higher rate of lumbering in this region.
Thus, a higher pressure is mounted on these hard wood species and thereby streamlining
the chances of their ability. Human activities have led to the disappearance of the original
forest in other not to pose further threat on the biosphere reserve and to secure the means
by which man can generate income other than cutting down trees (Siebert and Belsky
2005)
Production, marketing and consumption are the three basic economic elements that make
the economic system of the society, be it at an economically affluent stage, developing
stage or under develop stage. In the process of economic development, marketing enters
as a fundamental element due to the fact that it performs critical roles in different ways.
An efficient marketing system is essential in getting products down to the consumers as
well as the provision of outlet and incentives for increase population. There is thus a
potential importance in product trading, in order to tap this potential, it is necessary to
expose the varieties of timber products and analyze their marketing system. it is in this
light that this study attempt to critically examine the marketing analysis of Non timber
forest products in Omo biosphere reserve.
AREA OF STUDY
Omo Biosphere reserve is located between longitude 60 35′ and 70 05′ latitude 40 19′ to
40 40′E, Southwestern Nigeria (Fig.1). Omo forest reserve, the first Strict Nature Reserve
(SNR1) in Nigeria is the largest biosphere reserve in West Africa covering about
1368.06km2 and forming parts of Ijebu East and North Local Government Areas of the
Ogun State.
The common tree species found in the reserve include: Brachystegia nigerica, Khaya
ivorensis, Sterculia rhinopetala, Strombosa pustulata, Triplochiton Scleroxylon and
Cordia millenii. On the other hand, there are more than 120 mammalian and at least 30
fish species in Omo forest reserve (Ola –Adams 1996). Among the animal found in the
reserve include: Syncerus caffer (Buffalo), Loxodonta africana (forest elephant),
Thryonomys swinderianus (Cane rat) and Python sebae (python). The forest reserve has
three land use types which are the natural forest, plantation and fallow land. This study is
focused on the rural dwellers living in the enclaves, farmers
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(agroforestry) and those that get their livelihood from the disturbed land (fallow land).
METHODOLOGY
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE AND SAMPLING SIZE Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources were
from collectors, farmers and traders survey, group discussion and observation were made
by the researchers.
Secondary data were sourced from Ogun state Afforestion project and the Ministry of
Forestry, Ogun state on revenue accruing to both from forest product
Households were selected based on the number of NTFPs they handled, their knowledge
of NTFP markets and their willingness to respond to the questionnaires after an
explanation of the purpose of the study. Ten enclaves were randomly selected while 10
respondents were randomly selected from these enclaves.(Table 1)
Frequency Percent
Valid
Eleyele 12 11.7 Ademola 7 6.8 Temidire 4 3.9 Olooji 7 6.8 Tamitami 17 16.5 Omo bridge
11 10.7
Gbonpa 7 6.8 Osoko 14 13.6 Mile 1 11 10.7 J4 Camp 13 12.6 Total 103 100.0
Table 1: summary of sampled respondents
All quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using standard statistical procedures.
The quantitative were entered and analysed using primary descriptive statistics. As a
follow up to relevant aspects derived from observation, some quantitative analysis of the
qualitative findings was carried out.
6
Single
Married
8
95
103
7.8
92.2
100 Table 2: Respondents sex and marital status SEX The distribution of the sampled respondents by sex reflects that the marketers in the
enclaves is male dominated. 78.6% are male while we have 21.6% being female. This is
attributed to the nature of having families in neighboring town with only the family head
learning in the enclaves for livelihood purpose. Most of the male interviewed confirmed
that they have the first wife in town but only have a younger one with them in the
enclaves for companionship. However some of them resolve to frequenting town to visit
the family periodically.
MARITAL STATUS
The marital status of the respondent is a reflection of the age. Because over 80% of the
respondents are well over 30years, they are automatically predominantly married
resulting for why we have over 90% being married ,sharing responsibility and decision
making. (Table 2)
AGE
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Field survey 2014 Fig 2; Showing respondents age Age distribution of respondents Studies by Adesope, Awoyinka, Ashaolu (2011) and Olasupo and Sotannde (2011) all
found out that marketers of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are usually middle age
people. It is generally known that elderly people have a better knowledge and value for
traditional things hence it is not surprising the survey showed respondents been
predominantly over 30 years and above (80 percent -).The availability of response in
younger age groups is an indication that the trading start from younger minds
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RELIGION
Field survey 2014 Fig 3: Religion of the respondents Distribution of sample by Religion Findings on religion investigated only the differences on religion. Majority of the
respondents are Christain while we have just 20% as Muslim .The respondent did not
report that they are traditional worshippers even though a shrine was noticed at on of the
enclaves.
ORIGIN
S/N VARIABLES FREQUENCY PERCENT
Table 3: distribution of respondents by State of origin
The distribution of respondents by state of origin is as shown above. Ogun state being the
host state has just 22.3percent. Its however discovered that Oyo State origin has a larger
number even above the host state (29.1percent) .The total respondents coming from the
western region of the country stood at 74.7percent. The only non indigene encountered
on field was at Tamitami who is a national Liberia.
Predominantly, the respondents are Yoruba’s with 91.3 percent of the respondents. The
location of the study site is responsible for the skewness of the tribe to one zone HOUSEHOLD SIZE Household size is a function of income in the family as there is a pull of resources
together for a better standard of living. Though this is also dependent on age distribution
so that the large household does not interpret to consuming age from the study, household
range of 4-7 has 56% of the respondents. While 1-4 has 20%. The interview however
revealed that the household with larger family have able bodied young men mostly as
member who participate actively in farming activities.
.
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Field survey 2014 Fig 4: Household size distribution of the respondents OCCUPATIONS The graph on occupation below shows both the primary and secondary occupation of the
respondents. The primary occupation showed 90% as farmers hence the reason why
majority are involve in marketing of forest products
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Field survey 2014 Fig 5: Occupational distribution EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION Education, though an engine of development, is not necessarily needed for farming
activities as shown from the study site. 56% was discovered to have between no formal
education and just primary school certificate, meaning that majority are fairly
uneducated. Though about 33% have secondary education, it’s not reflects in the farming
practice. This could be expected as the utmost concern of in rural setting is the easy,
cheap and ready available of farm labour
Frequenc
Valid
No formal 21 20.4 Primary 37 35.9 Secondary 34 33.0 Post secondary
10 9.7
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MONTHLY INCOME The income of the respondents spread across the various range with earner between
5000-10000 being 24% while we have the high income earners (with over 40000/month
being 15%). It was however discovered that monthly income is a function of land owned
as those high earners have more than 5 hectares to farm
Field survey 2014 Fig 6: income distribution of respondents AMOUNT EXPENDED
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Field survey 2014 Fig 7: Amount expended on processing products Amount expended on product before marketing is very minimal as over 60% spend less
than 5000. However expect for cocoa farmers that has high cost of fumigation, sorting
and grading before marketing of product.
MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
The minimal cost expended on goods can also be said to be affected by minimal cost
expended of transportation of goods. Majority transport goods by motor cycle (56%)
because of the terrain nature of the road network. The buyers as explained later in the
discussion, come into the village and into the periodic market to transport goods to the
town thereby absorbing the cost of transportation. This group of respondents stood at
40%. The nature of the road could be seen as only 2% use motor vehicle in conveyance.
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Field survey 2014 Fig 8: Respondents mode of transportation SOURCE OF PRODUCTS
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Field survey 2014 Fig 9: sources of products SOURCE OF CAPITAL For the venture, most of the respondents rely on personal savings as their capital base.
55% of the respondents falls in this group. Other sourced capital from either family or
friends or through cooperative societies. However less than 10% got their capital from
bank but this are mainly cocoa farmers who need large capital base. Respondents are
weary of getting bank loan because of the logistic problems and the neck breaking
interest which eventually affects their profit margin.
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Field survey 2014 Fig 10: Source of capital LAND TENURE AND AQCUISITION Frequency Percent
Govt allocation 25 24.3 Communal allocation
27 26.2
Purchase 7 6.8 Rent 17 16.5 Lease hold 27 26.2 Total 103 100.0
Table 5: Land tenure and acquisition Most of the respondents stated that land acquisition was through the local traditional
leaders (Baale). The land is sold per rope which is 2 hectares at the rate of 12,000 per
rope. The sum of 500 is no paid annually per rope to the bale as royalty (This is called
OYI in the local dialect)
The acquisition mode was however confusing to respondents as many responded to this
method communal allocation (26.2%) Leasehold (26.2%) and outright purchase (6.7%).
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However, the understanding of various definitions by respondents was verified and
clarified during the group discussion with various stakeholder groups.
SPECIES AVALIABILITY AND SEASONALITY NTFPs AVAILABLE SEASON AVAILABLE
Local name
Botanical name Rain Dry Both Snail 100 Mushroom 95 5 Cocoa Theobroma cacao 100 Plantain Musa spp 100 Cola Cola nitida 10 5 85 Ipe 100 Bushmeat Thryonomys swinderianus 60 30 10 Wal Nut Conophora 88 10 2 Orogbo Garcina cola 91 5 3 Cassava Manihot esculenta 100 Medicinal Herbs Different herbal plants 100
Abura leaves Mitragyna ciliate 100 Palm Elaeis guineensis 100 Eweran Thamatococus daniella 100 Fruits Dffrent fruit spp 100 Iyere Xylopia aethopica 24 73 3 Ataare Aframomum meligueta 24 73 3
Table 6: Species availability
The available NTFPs and seasonality is soughed for. Seventeen NTFPs were identified.
Nine of which were found round the year indicating that trading activity is done round
the year enhancing sustainability of livelihood. Species like Cocoa and Plantain are
harvested twice a year hence been able to keep trading throughout the year. Its only ipe
that is limited to raining season but this species is usually only for home consumption and
not for sale.
FIG 12: COCOA DRYING AND WEIGHING PROCESS
FIG 13: SNAILS FIG 14: PLANTAIN LOADING
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FIG 16 : ABURA LEAVES
MARKETING OF TIMBER PRODUCTS In the reserve, most respondents noted that the loggers generally come from outside the
reserve. Very few loggers are residents of the enclaves. Ogun state Ministry is in charge
of regulating logging activities .Every logger must have a permit to engage in logging
from forestry officials.
The Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project has gmelina arboreal as the mandate exotic
species. However, from the other areas aside the plantation, lumbering activities takes
place with various indigenous species. This is shown in the table 7 below
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Omo
Araba
Kokogbo
Poponia
Eru
Ahun
Oganwo
Idigbo
Agboun
Abura
Source: Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project 2014
Table 7: List of indigenous species lumbered
However for the exotic mandate species of the project, the volume of revenue generated
is shown from the table below. In the year 2013, the sum of 15,501,370 was generated
which as about 4 times the volume generated in the year 2010. This shows the volume
and trend of logging and marketing of timber in the reserve.
Timber logged Qty logged
Gmelina arborea 4,160,930.00 7,934,000.00 7,286,000.00 15,501,370.00
Other NTFPs 51,000.00 7,500.00 43,750.00 55,750.00
Source: Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project 2014 Table 8: Revenue generated from Gmelina arborea Its however worthy of note that despite this large volume, planting is commensurate
with the logging activites as it indicate the number of stock standing keep increasing
.This is to ensure sustainabilty of the project hence, steady revenue stream to Ogun State
Government (Table 9)
4,161 5,289 4,857 10,334
Source: Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project 2014 Table 9: Gmelina stock
SOME OF THE TIMBER SPECIES TRADED IN
FIG 17:ONE OF THE INDIGENOUS SPECIES LUMBERED - Ceiba pentandra
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MARKETING STRUCTURE Marketing channels
Distribution channels are mostly from the buyers straight to the sellers who either meet at
the periodic market days or come home straight to individuals within and around the
villages.This way,very few is expended as transportation cost from the sellers as the
buyer transport goods to various points of sales in the urban areas.However this enablees
the buyers to beat down the price to take care of transportation cost.
Type of NTFPs marketed by gender
Majority of products marketed by women as shown in table below basically for domestic
consumption. For instane ,snails and mushroom are hardly picked or marketed by the
men. However ,there are some that they are both involvd in. For instance,cola and oil
palm. The male are involved in the collection ,while the female deal with the prcessing .
Cocoa and bushmeat are in the class of male dominated products.This is likely to be
because of the nature of involvement of both.Cocoa is basically owned by land owners
while hunting is activity restricted to men
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NTFPs
NTFPs SOLD BY FEMALE BOTH
Snail Achatina marginata Mushroom Pleurotus spp Cocoa Theobroma cacao Plantain Musa spp Cola Cola nitida Ipe Bushmeat Thryonomys swinderianus Wal Nut Conophora Orogbo Garcina cola Cassava Manihot esculenta Medicinal Herbs Different herbal plants
Abura leaves Mitragyna ciliate Palm Elaeis guineensis Eweran Thamatococus daniella Fruits Dffrent fruit spp Iyere Xylopia aethopica Ataare Aframomum meligueta
Table 10 showing gender analysis of product marketed Barriers to entry
Entry into the marketing chain of NTFPs in the study area at the level of producers was
somehow barrier free. Entry at the level of a buyer had the barrier of capital, strength to
trek for long distances and the will to take risk that under pines any business setting.
Vertical and horizontal integration
From the analyses of the data, in some cases cola buyers also buy plantain. This was
discovered that during the off-season period for. Where the quantity produced dropped to
the lowest minimum, small quantities that were stored locally were made available to
buyers. At such a time, buyers supplemented with other products. But during the peak
production season for cola, it was difficult to combine. However for cocoa buyers,
integration of other product was nil.Also, for the timber species follow the same trend.
When Gmelina, which is the mandate species for the project, is not readily available,
because of high demand for it, other indigenous species are bought
PRICE SETTING FOR PRODUCTS
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As with other markets, prices of NTFPs depend mainly on supply and demand
conditions. Supply of NTFPs is determined by the amount of product gathered or
harvested as well as the quantity stored (in case of cocoa).
During the period of production, there is an abundant quantity available at the market and
prices are lower than between harvests when NTFPs are scarce. The demand for NTFPs
by traders is determined by the quantities they are willing and able to purchase. This, in
turn, depends on the amount of working capital traders have at their disposal and the
signals of scarcity in urban markets .
The process of price setting for NTFPs between the farmer (the seller) and the trader (the
buyer) involves bargaining to reach an equilibrium price somewhere between the lowest
price the seller is willing to accept and the highest price the buyer is willing to pay. The
bargaining power of the sellers and buyers is influenced by different factors depending on
whether the sellers have brought the NTFPs to the market or whether the buyers have
gone to the villages to purchase the NTFPs at source.
For NTFPs sold at the market, the bargaining power of farmers depends on the type of
NTFPs they are selling (perishable or not), the quantity of NTFPs available at the
markets, their own financial needs (based on their actual disposable incomes), prices that
prevailed during previous market days, the number of farmers selling NTFPs, and the
overall transparency of the market. The bargaining power of traders depends to a large
extent on the prevailing prices of NTFPs in urban and the actual marketing costs and
expected margins. NTFP traders can collude and agree on a single price at which they
will buy from farmers. Such collusion may break down, however, if traders come from
different zones where the demand for NTFPs differs. Another factor that may prevent
collusion from working is ethnic differences among traders.
For NTFPs sold in the village, the bargaining power of farmers depends on the number of
traders coming to the village to buy, the accessibility of the village, the supply of NTFPs,
the degree of perishability of NTFPs, and the level of market information available to
farmers. The presence of a large number of traders in the village can, for example, give a
signal to farmers about the relative scarcity of NTFPs in urban areas. During the period of
peak production, many traders prefer to purchase NTFPs at the market rather than going
to individuals in the villages.
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For the timber species marketed, the project determines the price and this is not
negotiable. There is a fix price per cubic purchased however, observation revealed
doctoring of measured cubic. This is a common practise between the forest officers and
the buyers so as to reduce the cost payable to the state coffer while increasing what goes
to them
NTFPs SOLD QTY SOLD/MONTH SELLING PRICE/UNIT ()
Snail 500 pieces 250 Mushroom 3 bags 1200 Cocoa 5 bags (310 kg) 450 Plantain 300 bunches 850 Cola nut 80 basket 5500 Ipe 500 pieces 70 Bushmeat 25 pieces 2500 Wal Nut 5 bags 1000 Orogbo 5 bags 1200 Cassava 2 Capster 80000 Medicinal Herbs 20 bags 1000 Abura leaves 10 wraps 500 Palm 10 bunches 3500 Eweran 100 wraps 800 Fruits 12 bags 3000 Iyere 20bags 1000 Ataare 20bags 1000
Table 11 showing monthly income from NTFPs marketing
PERFORMANCE OF NTFP MARKETING
NTFPs markets in the study area had no identical products. Cocoa, for instance, were
marketed according to grades. There existed no homogeneity amongst the products. They
were fewer buyers and more produces on the market.The level of market information
between the buyers and the sellers was not equal. The buyers had more information than
the sellers. On a general note it will be concluded that NTFPs market performance in the
study area was far from perfect.
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FOREST PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL
Road networking is a major limiting factor observed in marketing of forest products. The
road linking these enclaves to the major road is in a terrible state. The project from time
to time in the dry season put down tractor that is fuelled by the community to grade the
existing roads. However construction of bridges to dam the numerous water bodies
becomes a problem to the communities in terms of funding. Interview with the council of
elders in Osuku for instance, revealed that the construction company billed them
#3.5million to construct channel for the water dividing the community. The bridge
construction work going on in Olooji road is substandard and underfunded due to the lean
purse of the community. (Figs19 & 120)
FIG 19: ABANDON BRIGDE CONSTRUCTION ON IJEGUN ADEMOLA ROAD
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Energy/light supply to these enclaves is non existence; the whole enclaves depend on
generating set for energy production. This does not support or encourage market
information news dissemination and other positive impact of electricity.
Provision of portable water is lacking. The only source of water in all the enclaves is
stream, all efforts to sink borehole are met with financial incapacitation. Fig 21 shows the
effort of one of the enclave to sink a deep well, unfortunately they have not been able to
supply concrete rings for the construction of the deep well. Fig 21 shows the stream
supplying the entire J4 camp.
28
29
Most of the enclaves selected do not have any medical centre or primary health centre
expect for Osoku that has a shanty provision made by the community themselves. During
the interview, it was discovered that a lot of pregnant women die during prolong labour
especially during the raining season when the road is cutting off by the unabridged water
body mass. Figure 23 & 24 showed the supposed clinic in the community. However the
clinic in J4 camp serves the entire enclave, no matter the distance (Fig 25.) Critical cases
are referred to urban centers from time to time. It has been confirmed by the several
studies that ill health reduces productivity generally.
FIG 23: INTERIOR OF THE CLINIC AT OLOOJI
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FIG 25: CLINIC AT J4 CAMP
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POLICY
Free flow of commodity is hindered by policy issue. This is manifested greatly in the
lumbering activities whereby permit granting is politicized. Also the market regulation of
cocoa price is not helping marketing of cocoa, farmers cannot determine price of cocoa
despite the high cost invested in cocoa farming.
FIG 26 : FARMING SYSTEM
MARKETING
The study has shown that bad road network has been a major problem to forest products
marketing to both timber and non-timber forest products sellers as they could not
determine the price for buyers who came all the way into both the villages and the
markets. The sellers were at the mercies of the buyers. Ironically, neither can they
transport the goods to urban centers. This has been a great challenge as the marketers
were bound to sell of all products for the fear of spoilage if not totally sold, the marketing
therefore approaching an acute oligopoly, a serious imperfect structure.
Despite the efforts of the communities and the Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project, the
raining season is still traumatic for them. Coincidentally, this is the harvest season.
32
Government should therefore look into the areas of helping these enclaves in
bridge/culvert construction as a lot of water bodies break the road and make it impassable
completely.
The project during the dry season provides tractors to grade the roads of motor able areas.
The communities are to fuel the tractors and pay the allowances of the drivers and
maintain the tractors, for instance, the research team witnessed the executive of Osoku
raising money from the inhabitants to fix a bad tyre of a working tractor in their area and
this is aside the 50,000 paid daily to the project for fuelling and drivers allowance. An
epitome of Public-P artnership-Participation (PPA).
The abandoned bridge construction in Ademola Ijegun is an indication of incapacitation
of the enclaves to raise the3.5million requested for by the contractor in charge. The
Ogun State Government should be considering the volume of revenue generated into her
coffer, take it upon her to fix these capital projects for there will be a commensurable
increase in revenue as the people will not be limited by the poor road network.
Another major limitation observed is the absence of a formidable union association which
could have served both as pressure group at the same time as collateral to access funding
from banks. The registered association too could give them a solid front to determine
price without being marginalized by the buyers. There is a need to have a strong
advocacy within the enclaves. The provision of basic social facility by the government
too will go a long way to increase productivity. Since these enclaves are far apart,
provision of primary health centers, for instance, would have been ideal thing to ensure
good health and could meet emergency medical needs of the inhabitants.
Rural electrification is another area the government should look into. This will not only
give them access to market information, it would have also provided means of preserving
some of the perishable NTFPs and enhance better pricing.
Access to timber products from the projects should be more liberal. Politicizing
accessibility does not give direct opportunities to people that have the livelihood in this
33
direction. Felling permits are transferred to these loggers at higher prices thereby
affecting maximization of profits.
Another major challenge observed is the periodic threat emanating from the project to
relocate the inhabitations completely from the enclaves. Information from the enclaves
revealed that there has been several of such threat s but there was a major incident in year
2008 when all their farms were destroyed which engendered a revolt. In an attempt to
balance this report, efforts was made to find out about this major revolt from the project.
Findings showed that there were allegations by the projects that farmers were destroying
trees for their own crops without looking for a lasting solution .Farms and buildings were
pulled down in an attempt to send the inhabitant of the enclaves out of the reserve.
The provision of adequate extension services and adherence to the Memorandum of
Understanding should have been able to mitigate this problem with officers creating
awareness, monitoring and introducing improved technologies. This way, both the
inhabitants and the project will co habit with each maximizing profit to sustain
livelihood.
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FIG. 1: MAP OF THE ENCLAVES IN THE STUDY AREA
35
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Kamara, J N (1986), Firewood Energy in Sierra Leone. Production, Marketingand Techniques (Serie de la Science Agronomique, Yaoundé, Cameroon), 1(3):57-70. Nkongmeneck, B (1985), ‘Le Genre Cola au Cameroun’, Revues Sciences et
of Socio-Economic Issues, Community Forestry Note 1, FAO, Rome Olasupo, O.O and Sotannde, O.A 2011: Economic Analysis of Sponge Production from
Mormodica angustisepala in Gambari Forest Reserve. In Forestry in the Context