How are local communities utilizing the non-cash, intangible goods and services provided by Liberia’s forests?

Kolly S. Allison &FFF Facilitator / FAO – Liberia

Julius M. BassNational Coordinator

Farmers union Network

October 6, 2015

FFF – Partnership between FAO, IIED & IUCN, hosted at FAO

Vision“Smallholders, communities, indigenous peoples and women’s organizations have improved livelihoods and decision-making over forest and farm landscapes”5 year multi-donor funded programmeWorking in 10 countries and globally

Project Location

LOFA

GRAND CAPE MOUNT

NIMBA

FFF Links forests and farms through work on 3 Pillars:

1. Strengthen smallholder, women, community and Indigenous Peoples’ producer organizations for business/livelihoods and policy engagement2. Catalyze multi-sectoral stakeholder policy platforms with governments at local and national levels3. Link local voices and learning to the global level through genuine participatory processes, communication and information sharing

FFF Pillar 3. Communications, Learning and Knowledge Generation

More than 15 print products, website, videos, country strategies Policy brief, 2 WPs, IIED briefs, Strength in numbers, 8 country baseline/scoping studies 4 policy briefing papers, Infographic and Calendar

How are local communities utilizing the non-cash, intangible goods and services provided by Liberia’s forests?

Collection and harvesting of non timber forest products (NTFP’s) for consumption, sale and medicinal purpose and livelihood opportunities.

• Products Biodiversity• Served as wind breaker (prevents

communities from disaster).• Provide pure air for communities dwellers

What are the opportunities and threats they are face in this endeavor

Opportunities Eassy access to products

and services High quantity of products

and services NTFP’s serve as income

generation or generating factors when harvesters and collectors are link to desire markets and opportunities including access to finance

Threat Clearing of forest for farming

(deforestation) Concension Bad collections practices (cutting

down of NTFP’s vines and trees as easy means of harvesting

Peaking or collecting germinated seeds

Illegal entry of forest Lack of appropriate awareness

on sustainable harvesting methods of NTFP

Illegal NTFP traders Low livelihood hood for forest

dependents Changing in weather Changing in Government policy

Some NTFP’s Photos

Names of Some NTFP’S• VOACANGA• RATTEN• WALNUT• WOLLOF• GRAIN OF PARADISE

(GOP)• BITTER KOLA• SNAIL• HONEY• FISH• CRAB AND CRAW FISH• BABOON AND REEDE• COCOA • ETC.

What can we learned from other countries• Structure groups of forest producers that will focus

specifically on sustainable forest management of NTFP and other forest resources by buying, selling and exporting.

• Make regular research on NTFP’s markets, access to finance for purchasing service

• Provide capacity Building support and awareness training, information sharing for local authority , collectors and community on the value chain of NTFP’s during every season.

• Packaging/ handeling•

Cont…………• Policy regulation • Penalty for illegal trade of NTFP’s• All products of NTFP be channel through every port

of entry in Liberia.• Provide opportunities for other NTFP group to share

and exchange visit• Government to provide duty free on NTFP buying

and export.• Increase livelihood opportunity for forest

community.

RECOMMENDATIONS• Capacity building for Structure groups of forest producers that will focus

specifically on sustainable forest management and NTFP collection• Government to provide access to line ministries and agencies to control the

movement of non- timber forest products. • We need capacity Building support and awareness training, information sharing

for local authority, collectors. • INGOs set up smell groups in counties, or work with local NGOs to carry on

process.• Make regular research on NTFP’s markets, access to finance for purchasing service• Packaging/ handeling • In order to discourage shifting cultivation and an indiscriminate use of the

forest, Government/donor need to provide training and inputs to enable , producers utilize the lowland over a long period of time. In that way their, their attention will be diverted from the forest.

• Train farmers/forest producers on how to harvest non- timber products, add value to their produce and link them to market.

• To lessen forest producers/farmers dependency on the forest for bush meat, an alternative means of nutrition such as: Fisheries, livestock etc must be provided.

Thank you for your attention!