In most African countries, non-wood forest products (NWFP) play a significant role in livelihoods by providing key subsistence products and income. In Cameroon, the most important NWFP are edible plants or plant products such as fruits (e.g. Dacryodes edulis, Irvingia gabonensis), nuts (e.g. Cola spp.), spices (e.g. Ricinodendron heudelotii), leaves (e.g. Gnetum africanum) and bark (Garcinia kola, used in palm wine production); medicinal plants (e.g. Prunus africana), rattan (e.g. Laccosperma secundiflorum) and bushmeat.
Despite its socio-economic importance, the availability of related statistical data on social, economic and ecological aspects of NWFP is very limited. Therefore a study on Data collection and analysis related to NWFP - a pilot study in Cameroon was carried out within the context of the European Commission-FAO Partnership Programme Data collection and analysis for sustainable forest management in ACP countries - linking national and international efforts. The main objective of the study was to review available information on NWFP in Cameroon and to propose an appropriate methodology to improve the quality and quantity of statistical data on NWFP in the country. Preliminary results of the study were presented and discussed in two workshops held in Yaoundé, Cameroon in March and November 2001.
The study shows that various methodologies are already in place in order to assess the production and commercialization of NWFP in Cameroon, including single-product inventories, qualitative resource inventories, systematic samples and market studies. Taking into account the current use of NWFP in Cameroon, the study identifies ten priority species, for which an improved monitoring and evaluation of their use is recommended: Gnetum spp, Garcinia lucida, Garcinia kola, Raphia spp., rattan (e.g. Laccosperma secundiflorum), Prunus africana, Pausinystalia johimbe, Baillonella toxisperma, Guibourtia tessmannii and Scorodophleus zenkeri.
The study proposes a methodology that monitors NWFP from the resource to the final consumer in order to assess key information on i) geographical distribution; ii) potential production; iii) actual production (collected quantities); iv) national consumption; v) exportation; and vi) other aspects (e.g. importation, losses, contribution to employment).
The proposed methodology was tested for the leaves of Gnetum spp.; the field tests were carried out in Elig-Nkouma (South Cameroon), the port of Idenau and the international airport of Yaoundé. The test showed that i) in Elig-Nkouma 4.15 t of Gnetum spp. were produced, which corresponds to 0.85 percent of the national production (488.57 t) during the six weeks of the field test; ii) more than 90 percent of the national production (446.57 t) was exported to Nigeria and Europe; and iii) the consumption in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala was 22.3 t, which corresponds to 4.6 percent of the total production. The test also documented ecological problems related to the harvesting techniques applied and highlighted the socio-economic importance of the consumption and commerce of Gnetum spp. in Cameroon.
The study concludes that in order to improve the quality of statistical data on NWFP in Cameroon, it is recommended to i) harmonize and co-ordinate the NWFP activities of the stakeholders concerned by taking into consideration their objectives, activities, methodologies applied, etc.; and ii) share and distribute the information already available, for example through the establishment of a database at the national and governmental level.