Despite the widespread trade in NTFPs by rural households in Zambia, the contribution of forest products to rural livelihoods is not well understood. NTFPs receive little attention from researchers and development practitioners because of the small scale and dispersed nature of extractive activities. Information on the contribution of NTFPs to rural household income is important for both rural development and forest management policies because of their potential role in poverty alleviation and the growing demand among both rural and urban households. The objectives of this study were to examine the role of NTFPs in rural household welfare and the characteristics of households that rely on NTFPs for livelihoods and income. Data from a 2008 survey of rural households in Zambia were used to estimate the contribution of NTFPs to rural household income in districts where there was extensive business activity related to forest products. The survey included questions about income from business activities related to four types of NTFPs—woodfuel, ants/caterpillars, mushrooms, and wild honey—which are some of the most commonly extracted and traded NTFPs in Zambia. NTFPs contribute 33% to total household income for participating households, and woodfuel was the most common source of NTFP income, with 68% of all the households that reported participation in NTFPs having obtained income from this source.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute

Region
Africa

Biome
Tropical

Forest Type
All forest types (natural and planted)

Primary Designated Function
Multiple use