The role of non-timber forest products for livelihood diversification in Southwest Ethiopia

The use of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) has received attention in light of their perceived potential to address both poverty reduction and tropical forest conservation. Based on a survey amongst 145 households, this paper describes the role and significance of NTFPs in the livelihoods of rural communities in the mid-hills and uplands of Southwest Ethiopia. The local people are engaged in multiple household activities including annual and perennial crop production, collection of forest products and off-farm employment. The present study shows that most NTFPs are collected and used locally, but forest coffee and honey are also marketed; their income represents almost 50% of total household cash income. These products are also locally produced through agroforestry practices. Three household strategies in respect to NTFP production are distinguished: a diversification strategy, a specialization strategy and a coping strategy. The value of the NTFPs is higher in mid-hills zones with a landscape mosaic of forests, agroforestry systems and agricultural fields than in the more remote upland zone with a much higher forest cover. The highest potential for NTFPs contributing to rural livelihoods is in forested landscapes rather than in large forest complexes