5. ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES

The economic contribution of forest genetic resources is not easy to quantify. Some of the benefits are directly realized from exploiting the resources while other benefits are from related enterprises such as eco-tourism. Benefits realized directly from forest genetic resources can be divided into exotic and indigenous species.

The forestry industry of exotic species employs 16 000 people and contributes 3 percent of the GDP (MMET, 1998). The major products are sawn timber, veneer and plywood, particle and fiberboards, pulp and paper, matchwood, poles, bark extract for leather tanning, charcoal and mine props.

Indigenous trees species contribute an array of products which include high value timber for furniture (Pterocarpus angolensis, Afzelia quanzensis, Baikiaea plurijuga and Guibortia coleosperma), carving, tool handles, fruits and alcoholic beverages (Uapaca kirkiana, Ziziphus mauritiana, Strychnos spp., Sclerocarya birrea, Parinari curetillifolia, Ximenia americana, Vangueria infausta, Berchemia discolor, etc.), livestock fodder (Acacia spp., Dichrostachys cinerea, Colophospermum mopane, Piliostigma thonningii, etc.) and Arabic gum from Acacia karroo (MMET, 1998; Marunda and Baker, 1998; Maruzane et al., 1999). Indigenous fruits contribute immensely to household economies as well as family food security and nutrition. Because fruits are still marketed informally, their actual contribution is still difficult to accurately estimate. Other species like Colophospermum mopane, Brachystegia spiciformis and Burkea africana are hosts to some worms that are relished by locals. These worms are now widely marketed formally. The demarcated teak forests of the Kalahari sands have become important for tourism due to the high population of wildlife that thrives in them.

Overall, the economic contribution to the GDP of indigenous tree species is considered to be very small and insignificant. Ten to 20 percent of rural households use woodland resources as alternative sources of incomes. Incomes from the thriving carving industry range from ZWD42 to ZWD 4 000^[1] per month. These studies have tended to be localized and therefore, there are no accurate figures on national contribution.