Dr. Zenebe Girmay Siyum, a sponsored researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP), Imperial College London, is conducting this study under the supervision of Professor Jeremy Woods (Reader in Sustainable Development and Director of CEP) and Dr. Alexandra Collins (A senior Lecturer in Environmental Sustainability at CEP).
Dr. Zenebe, an Assistant Professor of Environmental Management specializing in climate and dryland forests, is engaged in research and grant writing, teaching, and mentoring postgraduate students in collaboration with experts at CEP. His work focuses on advancing sustainability through cutting-edge research on climate and dryland forests. His current research explores the dynamic relationships between climate, forest conditions, and the provision of forest products and ecosystem services, and other cross-cutting sustainability challenges. Notably, he recently received the prestigious Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Early Career Research Grant – the first ever awarded to Ethiopia – to advance tropical dendroclimatology in collaboration with Mekelle University (Ethiopia) and NMBU (Norway). More details: https://www.hfsp.org/hfsp-news/2024-research-grants-awardees.
NTFPs: the unappreciated pillar of forest-dependent communities
Imagine a world where forests are valued not just for timber but for the diverse resources that sustain lives of millions. While timber often takes the spotlight, NTFPs quietly support livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity conservation. From wild mushrooms and medicinal plants to honey and resins, these products serve as lifelines for marginalized communities across the globe.
Why NTFPs Matter
Non-timber forest products are not merely commodities/products, they are threads connecting forests, people, and culture. They are vital to forest-dependent communities, providing food security, medicine, and income, particularly for marginalized groups. Unlike commercial logging, their sustainable harvesting preserves forest ecosystems while supporting livelihoods, especially during crises like droughts and conflicts. Despite their ecological and economic significance, NTFPs are often overlooked in national policies, limiting their full potential in sustainable forest management.
The Growing Demand and Pressures on NTFPs
The global demand for NTFPs is rising, fueled by international markets seeking organic, sustainable, and ethically sourced products. At the same time, climate change, deforestation, and land-use conflicts threaten the very ecosystems that sustain these resources. Addressing these challenges requires urgent policy interventions, research-based insights, and international collaboration to promote sustainable management. This study synthesizes the links between NTFPs, livelihood resilience, and ecosystem sustainability, examining key drivers, challenges, and access rights. It also explores their socio-economic and environmental roles in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals, identifies knowledge gaps, and provides recommendations for future research.
A New Perspective: NTFPs for Sustainable Development
There is a growing recognition of the vital role NTFPs play in enhancing resilience, conserving biodiversity, and advancing the SDGs. Research highlights their ability to act as a critical buffer against both environmental and economic shocks. In dry and degraded landscapes, NTFPs such as shea nuts, baobab fruits, and frankincense offer valuable alternative income sources, helping to reduce the strain on overexploited agricultural land. By embracing these resources, we can support sustainable livelihoods while promoting ecological sustainability and resilience.
Insights from the Study: Key Preliminary Findings
NTFPs in building resilient livelihoods: NTFPs play a crucial role in rural livelihoods, serving as economic safety-nets during food shortages and crises. Studies show their significant income contribution, second only to agriculture. In Tanzania, 70% of household incomes in some regions come from dry forest products, while in Ethiopia, this ranges from 20% to 63%, depending on location and resource availability. Similarly, over 50% of rural households in India and 60% in Nigeria rely on NTFPs, such as fruits and nuts, particularly during droughts. Women are key in NTFP collection and processing but face market barriers that limit their financial benefits. For example, in Ghana’s shea nut industry, women earn little despite its economic importance. Additionally, NTFPs generate employment, as seen in Vietnam’s bamboo industry, which provides stable jobs in marginalized rural areas.
NTFPs in Biodiversity Conservation: Sustainable NTFP harvesting supports biodiversity conservation by incentivizing local communities to protect forests. In China, for instance, wild mushroom collection has improved forest stewardship, while NTFPs like rattan and bamboo aid ecological restoration by stabilizing soil and enhancing water retention. Indigenous knowledge is vital for their sustainable management. For example, in the Amazon, traditional Brazil nut harvesting practices have led to higher regeneration rates than state-managed conservation programs.
Challenges in NTFP Management: Despite their benefits, NTFP sustainability faces key challenges. Land tenure insecurity often leads to resource conflicts, as seen in Cameroon, where disputes between local harvesters and commercial loggers disrupt sustainable collection. Market barriers, including poor infrastructure and weak value chains, limit profitability by restricting access to fair-priced markets. Additionally, climate change is increasingly affecting NTFP availability, threatening the livelihoods that depend on them.
A Call for Action
As we celebrate the International Day of Forests on March 21, 2025, under the theme “Forests and Food,” it is crucial to recognize the potential of NTFPs in ensuring sustainability and resilience. Governments, researchers, and policymakers must take proactive steps to unlock their full potential. Firstly, NTFPs must be integrated into national development policies to ensure that these valuable resources are properly recognized and supported. Additionally, promoting fair market access is crucial to empower local communities, especially women, to sustainably commercialize NTFPs. Supporting community-based conservation efforts, which tap into traditional knowledge for effective forest management, is equally important. Finally, enhancing climate resilience strategies by incorporating NTFPs into land restoration and conservation programs will help foster long-term ecological sustainability and strengthen community livelihoods.
Key message
NTFPs are a powerful yet often overlooked tool for building resilient livelihoods and ecosystems. Recognizing their full potential is not just an environmental necessity but a socioeconomic strategy to enhance communities’ adaptive capacities to global challenges. By promoting sustainable management and equitable market access, NTFPs can drive environmental and economic resilience. Empowering local communities through sustainable NTFP practices strengthens livelihoods, safeguards biodiversity, and supports climate change mitigation.
As we mark the International Day of Forests, let’s champion NTFPs as essential solutions for a more sustainable and equitable world.
The time to act is now – How can we better integrate NTFPs into global sustainability efforts?
Share your thoughts – together, we can build a future where forests thrive alongside the people who depend on them!