SUSTAINABLE MARKET DEVELOPMENT FOR NON TIMBER
Abdul
Latif and Zabta Khan Shinwari
Abstract
Non timber forest
products consist of goods of biological origin other than timber.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Key
Words: Non timber forest
products, Sustainable market development,
OVERVIEW OF NTFPs IN
Non-timber forest
products (NTFPs) refer to a wide array of economic or subsistence materials
that come from forests, excluding timber. Some of the important NTFPs are:
A) Food
products
Morels/Mushrooms
Variety of morels are found in forest
and rangelands, like Morchella esculenta, M. crassipes, M. vulgaris, M. deliciosa, Conocyba crispa, C. comatus, Cantharellus floccsus, M. conica, M. anqusticipt, Boletus luteus, other morels like oysters, padakis,
lapoita, polyporus, Ink
cap, earthstar and meadow mushroom etc (Rehman et al, 2000). In
Honey
Honey is obtained from different
bee species likes Apis cerana
(Oriental bee), A. dorsa (Rock bee), A. florea
(Little bee), A. mellifera (European bee) etc. Honey
is extracted from wild, migratory and stationary beekeeping methods. Between 55
to 65 tonnes of honey is collected each year in the country from wild
beehives. About 850 to 950 tonnes of honey is
produced only in NWFP. Honey obtained from hill bee is 62.5 tonnes
per year while Rock and European bee produces 66.2 tonnes
and 133.3 tonnes year. According to statistics of
Export Promotion Bureau, 2002, total production of honey was 4,647 tonnes. The price of honey depends on quality of honey.
Price ranged from 100 to 350 rupees per kg, while prices of honey on roadside
range from Rs 100 to 120 per kg. Although honey is
produced in country but this production cannot meet the demand. That’s why
Wild Fruits and Nuts
Various species of nuts
are found in different areas of
Total production of pine nut in the
country is estimated 21,000 tonnes. The price of pine
nuts ranges from Rs 200 to 400 per kg and total value
is worth of 37.5 million per year. In addition to domestic consumption, pine
nuts are exported to the
Wild Vegetables
Various species are often found in
the
Condiments and Spices
These species includes; dried
seeds of wild pomegranate (Punica granatum), locally
known as "anar dana,”. They are used for producing sour taste in dishes. The total production of anar
dana was 69 tonnes from whole country in 1999-00 (Agriculture Statistic
of Pakistan, 99-00). The fruit yields 90 to 95 tons of dried seed and about 100
tonnes of skin. Tanneries in
B) Animal Products
Silk cocoons
Mulberry (Morus alba) is
the key species for production of silk cocoons. Total production of dry silk
cocoons was about 245 tonnes (
C) Industrial
Products
Vegetable tanning
Kikar or "babul" (Acacia
nilotica) is
main species of extracting vegetable tanning of hides in
Bhabar grass
These species includes Bhabar (Euliopsis binata), Sonagaria (Andropogon Schoenamthus),
Biab grasses, Pataka (Abutilon bidentatum),
Kana (Saccharum
sp.) grasses etc. Pataka yields smooth silvery fibers
used for making ropes and string for bed etc. About 605,040 kg were extracted
from the circles of Sukker, Ghulam Mohammed Khan
Barrage, Hyderabad Multan and
D) Fibers
Mazri leaves
Mazri is the local name for dwarf palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana). It is a gregarious, tufted,
and shrubby palm, growing naturally in dry tropical regions of
E) Miscellaneous Products
Oils
Main types of oils
obtained, are caster oils, peppermint oil, menthol, lemon oil and orange oil, eucalyptus oil, olive (Olea europea), Avocado (Persea americana Mill.)
and different types of nuts like Shinay nuts (Pistaca atlantica), P. chinensis, P. vera etc and walnuts (Juglans regia) etc are used for oil extraction (Daud, 1994). The production of caster oil was 174,770 kg in
Walnut bark
Bark is obtained from Juglans regia. Both the stem and roots are used for
teeth cleaning by women, as it imparts a pinkish color to the lips. Prior to
the ban, the bark was exported to the
Gums
Main specie for gum extraction is Acacia modesta (Palosa) and Acacia
Basketry
For basketry, species of Tamarix dioica and
mulberry are used. Total annual production is estimated to be 600,000 baskets,
consuming 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes of raw materials each
year. This produces revenue of Rs. 3 million each
year (Iqbal, 1991). The baskets are transported to
the nearby towns where they are sold to the shopkeepers at an average price of
Rs.15 each.
Seabuckthorn
There
are mainly 05 species found in mountainous areas of
METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
Though medicinal plants
represent major chunk of NTFPs and many scientists have reviewed it (Shinwari et. al. 2003). Hence in the present study,
it is excluded. The compilation of work is necessary not only for proper
planning and management of NTFPs but also to get acquainted with present
situation of NTFPs. While looking at greater dependence of the rural population
on NTFPs, it is high time to review the current status of NTFPs for better
planning and management. Based on review a strategy will be formulated on
sustainable utilization of NTFPs. The methodology for the project was based on
three material collection methods i.e.
·
Literature Review
·
Visit to various departments and
Institutions
·
Personal interviews
Available
literature (books, journals, research papers and articles etc) about NTFPs was
reviewed. Sources of these literatures were Pakistan Forest Institution (PFI),
Weed Sciences Department, Agriculture University Peshawar, Forest Department,
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Production
of Different NTFPs
The production of various Non-Timber Forest
Products varies according to the favorability and suitability of climate, soil,
and water. The amount of production changes from season to season in each year.
Based on data shown in the Table 1, production of
resin is reduced 80-85%, which is mainly due to the ban by government. In
international markets the value of crude resin is low, that’s why instead of
extracting, govt. is importing resin. The synthetic
products have also replaced resin. Mazri palm’s
production was reduced to 70% in 1999-00 compared to 1991-92. But according to
statistic of agriculture, in 2000-01, the production of Mazri
increased to 95% as compared to that in 1999-00 i.e. 394,559 tonnes. Further details about production of various
products are given in Table 1. Production of some products has been increased
due to cultivation, proper technique development and management, and people and
govt. attitude towards more profitable products etc.
Table
1 Shows Annual Production of various
|
Products |
1991
- 92 tones |
1999-2000
tones |
|
Morels |
55 |
75.3 |
|
Honey |
1214 |
4647 |
|
Fruits |
21,800 |
- |
|
Walnuts |
20,000 |
- |
|
Vegetable |
60 |
- |
|
Condiments |
300 |
- |
|
Silk cocoons |
245 |
- |
|
Lac |
80 |
- |
|
Vegetable Tannin |
4,000 |
- |
|
Mazri
leaves |
37,315 |
3400 |
|
Resins |
3,600 |
447 |
|
Bhaber
grass |
993 |
- |
|
Soap nuts |
250 |
- |
Sources:
Iqbal 1991, Iqbal 1993, EPB
2001
Some local communities are going for cultivation of
various profitable products for their own needs or with the help of some
institutions and programs/organizations. These products include; different types
of morels, honey, Mazri palm, different types of
vegetables and fruits, seabuckthorn, etc. So, the
domestication different plants is increasing due to lesser availability of
products extracted from the wild and some of the restrictions by government department
like “Mazri Control Act, 1953”.
As current figure of various products was not
available, however, if we do the comparison products-wise, then production of
morels, honey, resin, and Mazri leaves was 8,569 tonnes in 1999-00 while production of these products was
42,184 tonnes in 1991-92. This comparison can be seen
in Diagram 1. Seeing the actual figure honey and morel production was more but
the production of other products like Mazri leaves
and resin was less due to various bans and taxes.
Diagram 1. Showing the Comparison of Selected NTFPs
Although limited amount of recent data was
available but the overall situation of various NTFPs
production fluctuate throughout the years due to seasonal variations,
unfavorable climate, target group interest, previous year’s prices and market
trends, quality of produce, bans and restriction etc. For example the
production of Mazri palm and resin, which are the two
important products but due ban by the forest department on their harvesting,
collection or extraction, their production is reduced to 70%.
Prices
of Various NTFPs
As the demands in international market
changes, the rate of collection and production also changes. Simultaneously,
the good price leads to high production and extraction. In past, the prices
were too low as compared to present situation like the price of morels,
especially Morchella esculenta, were
2,460 per kg in 1991 and now the prices range from Rs.4,300 to Rs. 7,000-7,500 per kg, while that price in 1960 was Rs. 80 per kg. This difference in price,
is due to international market demand, better level income from morels and law
of demand and supply. Similarly, the price of honey was Rs.
80 in 1991 and in 2002, its prices ranges from 210 to 280 per kg. If the prices are inflated at 10% per year (10 years 1*1010),
then the inflation rate will be 2.59. If we multiply 2.59 with the
baseline year’s price than resultant will give us the actual situation of
increase or decrease in prices. For
further details see Table 2.
Table 2 Shows the Prices of Different NTFPs in
|
Price |
1991-92 (Rs. Per Kg) |
2001-02 (Rs. Per Kg) |
Inflated prices at 10%
per year |
|
Morels (Morchella esculenta) |
2400 |
4300 |
6,216 |
|
Honey |
75 |
195.00 |
194.2 |
|
Walnuts |
12.00 |
30 |
31.0 |
|
Wild persimmons |
4 |
14.00 |
10.3 |
|
Chalghoza |
40 |
300.0 |
103.6 |
|
Kachnar |
5.00 |
12.00 |
12.9 |
|
Suhanjna |
8.00 |
15 |
20.7 |
|
Kunjai |
7.00 |
12.00 |
18 |
|
Anar
Dana |
82.0 |
110.0 |
212.3 |
|
Caraway |
103.0 |
160.0 |
266.7 |
|
Silk Cocoons |
250.0 |
400.0 |
647.5 |
|
Resin |
28.07 |
35.50 |
72.7 |
|
Mazri |
2.45 |
6 |
6.3 |
|
Bamboo |
5 Ft |
12.00 Ft |
12.9 |
Note: The prices of different products are given at local
Level,
which sell them to the middlemen or shopkeeper.
Table 2, shows that price of honey, Mazri, bamboo and kachnar etc
remained the same, due to consumer interests in usage, synthetically produced
substituted the products, demand in the market and availability in the markets
etc. In case of morels the inflated price is 60% more than the current price of
4,300, which means that the prices of morels has been
decreased. This may be due the unsustainable harvest by the local, external
pressures on ecosystem, increase in population, lesser demand in importing
countries due morels cultivation techniques development and quality of the
produce. Similarly the prices of caraway, silk cocoon and anar
dana has been also decreased
due to synthetically produced products and demand in the markets. But the price
of certain products has been increased like Chalghoza.
Prices of Chalghoza increased 200% due to
professional involvement of local people for more economic benefits, demand in
international markets, supply to the international markets etc.
Diagram
2 Showing fluctuation in prices of various NTFPs in Pakistan
Exports
of Different products
Table
3 showing export of selected products from Pakistan
|
Name
products |
Export
(million Rs) |
Countries |
|
Mushrooms |
76.64 |
|
|
Pine nuts |
880.668 |
|
|
Walnuts |
200 |
Middle east etc |
|
Spices |
53.824 |
Middle east etc |
|
Silk cocoons |
47.6 |
Middle East etc |
|
Mazri |
126 |
Middle East etc |
|
Total |
1384.72 |
|
Sources: EPB,
2001, ASP, 2001, Ziaul, 2001.
Table 3 shows exports earnings from various
products. Total exports were Rs 1384.72 millions in
1999-00. There is more potential of exports than the RS. 1384.72 millions, if
various products are properly marketed and supply is maintained through
sustainable harvest.
Material loss during collection, processing
and marketing of various NTFPs
Diagram
4 Estimated loss of material during each step
During the whole process of NTFP collection and
value addition, about 65-70% of material is lost. As there are mainly three
levels i.e. local collector level, middlemen level and main market level. The
diagram is showing various steps through which an NTFP has to pass. About 55%
of the product material is lost at initial stages of the product collection and
processing due to unawareness of local collectors about the sustainable
harvesting of plants. 5-10% of the material is lost during the carriage,
packing or value addition by middlemen into local markets or the main markets.
Lastly about 5% is lost while giving the product finishing touch i.e. for
consumer or exporting.
CONSTRAINTS/
PROBLEMS FACED TO NTFPS
Various constraints are faced to the trade and marketing of
NTFPs in
CONCLUSION
The rate of production as well as prices are undulating in
different season, which is due to various interventions like lack of proper
education of local people and in sufficient research and development, market
trends and monopolies, wastage and unsustainability
during different steps of processing, and govt. attitude toward NTFPs etc. So,
there is need of proper assessment and research on each and individual product
through bottom up approach for proper planning, better levels of production,
sustainable income through sustainable utilization, training and capacity
building of related personals and community for conservation of different
forest resources.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Adopting the bottom-up approach for collection of base line
information for individual products.
2. Mobilizing and educating the local people for sustainable
use and proper management of different products, through proper programs and
projects like Ethnobotany project, WWF-P.
3. Training to the communities through Village Base Organizations
(VBOs) and Community Base Organizations (CBOs) for sustainable harvesting.
4. New markets have to be created for various products
collected from the wild and cultivated, so that the community may be well
benefited.
5. Proper advertisement and marketing of various products like Mazri, morels, honey, Seabuckthrone,
fruits etc not only at national but also at international
level has to be done for more foreign exchange and local benefits.
6. Proper monitoring of trade and marketing should be done for
consistency in supplies of the products and monopoly of few buyers should be
avoided.
7. Domestication and cultivation of various products through ex-situ conservation and community
management in the prone areas where products are decreasing in their quantities.
8. For proper conservation and sustainable utilization, rules
and regulations at community level is to be implemented, with the help of
dignities of community, so that both goal of economic development and ecosystem
conservation has to be achieved.
9. Place in the international market has to be created for
various products prepared through improvement in the collection, drying,
grading, packing and transporting, so that low production with better quality
may yield better prices and benefits, while losses during these processes will
pave the way towards sustainability of ecosystem.
10. Certification and standardization of various products
processed in the home land and quarantine before export to the other countries
11. Prioritization of areas, species and communities especially
in Swat, Hazara, Chitral,
Northern Areas etc, where greater diversity and indigenous use is practiced.
Making them Sustainable Forest Products Management through Protected
Conservation Areas (PCAs) and Protected Area
Management (PAM)
12. There is need for Products Conservation Plan (PCP) for each
products e.g. making strategy for Mushrooms Production Areas or Honey
Production Areas or Walnut Production Areas etc which may address priority
species, sustainable harvesting, demand and supplies maintenance, market
analysis and development, future status, preservation of indigenous knowledge
etc.
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