Proceedings of the FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World, 17-20 November 2008, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Understanding Changing Consumption and Marketing Patterns of Non-Timber Forest Products in a Competitive World: A Case Study from an Urban Area of North-Eastern Bangladesh S. A. Mukul 1 and M. B. Uddin 1,2 1 Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh 2 University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany Abstract In the last few decades, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and their associated products have gained considerable attention from researchers and development workers, particularly in developing regions, mostly for their potential socio-economic importance. It is also widely perceived that promoting the harvest and use of such products also helps forest conservation. However, as development progresses in most regions, alternatives or substitute products become available in the markets, and in the future, it will be difficult to maintain markets for the natural forest-based products without adding additional product value. A market survey was conducted in an urban fringe of northern Bangladesh to investigate the NTFP-based product diversity, the marketing pattern and the challenges in a dynamic world. Further information was also collected from sellers and consumers to understand their views on probable future strategies to maintain the markets for these products. A total of 38 NTFP and NTFP-based secondary products was recorded from 25 markets including 16 permanent, 7 temporary (or semi- permanent) and 2 mobile shops. The major demand observed, however, was for bamboo and cane-based products, with the supply of these products suffering from a scarcity of raw materials. A decreasing trend in consumption of NTFP-based articles for urban domestic use was also evident from the study. To cope with competitive markets, sellers were found to be emphasizing creative marketing and the longevity of the products. Under a changing global perspective, it is now essential to develop new policy guidelines and active
Transcript
Proceedings of the FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World, 17-20 November 2008, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Understanding Changing Consumption and Marketing Patterns of Non-Timber Forest Products in a Competitive World:
A Case Study from an Urban Area of North-Eastern Bangladesh
S. A. Mukul1and M. B. Uddin1,2 1 Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
2 University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
Abstract
In the last few decades, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and their associated products have gained considerable attention from researchers and development workers, particularly in developing regions, mostly for their potential socio-economic importance. It is also widely perceived that promoting the harvest and use of such products also helps forest conservation. However, as development progresses in most regions, alternatives or substitute products become available in the markets, and in the future, it will be difficult to maintain markets for the natural forest-based products without adding additional product value. A market survey was conducted in an urban fringe of northern Bangladesh to investigate the NTFP-based product diversity, the marketing pattern and the challenges in a dynamic world. Further information was also collected from sellers and consumers to understand their views on probable future strategies to maintain the markets for these products. A total of 38 NTFP and NTFP-based secondary products was recorded from 25 markets including 16 permanent, 7 temporary (or semi-permanent) and 2 mobile shops. The major demand observed, however, was for bamboo and cane-based products, with the supply of these products suffering from a scarcity of raw materials. A decreasing trend in consumption of NTFP-based articles for urban domestic use was also evident from the study. To cope with competitive markets, sellers were found to be emphasizing creative marketing and the longevity of the products. Under a changing global perspective, it is now essential to develop new policy guidelines and active
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 84
government support for the sustenance of this industry. Finally, for an efficient product supply chain, there is a need for technical advancement in the production process and skill development of the workers to secure the future market for these products that will directly or indirectly support the livelihood of thousands of rural, poor people. Keywords: non-timber forest products, consumption trend,
market promotion, Sylhet city, Bangladesh.
Introduction Nowadays it is indisputable that non-timber forest products (NTFPs)1 play a significant and often critical role in the quality of life and even survival of very large numbers of rural poor in most tropical, developing countries (Arnold and Ruiz Pérez, 1996; Pimentel et al. 1997). In fact, NTFPs’ role and importance to households are diverse, helping to achieve self-sufficiency, food security, income generation, accumulation of savings and risk minimization (Arnold and Ruiz Pérez, 1996). It has also increasingly recognized that the collection and use of NTFPs is ecologically less destructive than timber harvesting, and the development and promotion of such products could provide a sounder basis for sustainable forest management and community upliftment (Arnold and Ruiz Pérez, 2001). In fact, for a large number of people, NTFPs are still more important resources than timber. Smallholders living in forest margins in diverse parts of the world earn between 10 and 25% of their household income from NTFPs (Wunder, 2000). Another, study suggested that, tropical forests of parts of Southeast Asia provide as much as US$50 per month per hectare to local people from exploiting forest resources, without considering the commercial timber values (Caldecott, 1988; Sedjo, 2002). Asia is undoubtedly the worlds’ largest producer and consumer of NTFPs (Vantomme et al., 2002). According to de Beer and McDermott (1996), about 27 million people in Southeast Asia rely on the use of NTFPs. However as development has progressed rapidly in
1 Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are defined in this paper as products mainly of
biological origin other than commercial timber which are derived from either natural or managed forests. Examples include bamboo, cane, grasses and their finished products. Environmental benefits or services, wildlife’s etc are not considered as NTFPs in present paper.
Keywords:
Introduction
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 85
that region in recent years, alternatives to or substitutes for NTFPs and associated products are becoming more available in the market, and presumably in the near future, such natural products will have to compete with expanding global market facilities and available synthetic/substitute products that are seemingly more durable, attractive and cheap. Bangladesh is situated in a tropical, favorable climate on Gangetic alluvial plains and is endowed with a vast variety of flora, including many non-timber forest products. In the country, there are around 33 species of bamboo (represented by nine genera, including 18 naturally occurring species) (Banik, 1998), seven species of canes, several palms, grasses and many other NTFPs. In Bangladesh, the collection, processing and selling of NTFPs provide major employment opportunities to the ultra rural poor of about 300 000 (Basit, 1995), and contribute approximately Tk1 1.3 billion annually to the country’s economy (GOB, 1993). According to the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), there are about 45 000 registered NTFP-based small-scale cottage enterprises distributed throughout the country, which provide employment and income provisions to thousands of millions of people (Banik, 1998). Many studies (mostly case studies) have so far been conducted in Bangladesh covering various aspects of NTFPs. However, most of the information is still scattered, poorly emphasized and deals mainly with utilization (e.g., Alam, 1992; Miah and Chowdhury, 2003; Mukul et al., 2007; Akhter et al., 2008), cultivation and management (e.g., Uddin et al., 2006; Chowdhury et al., 2007; Ahmed et al., 2007) and the socio-economic potential of NTFPs to rural livelihoods (e.g., Khan and Khan, 1994; Nath et al., 2000; Alamgir et al., 2006; Ahmed et al., 2007; Uddin and Mukul, 2007; Motaleb and Hossain, 2008; Mukul, 2008; Uddin et al., 2008). The current study is a preliminary attempt to explore what has happened in the urban NTFPs markets in the past years in a more globalized world, how traders/sellers have coped with the changing situations, what attitudinal changes have taken place in the urban consumers/users of NTFPs and what is required to uphold the NTFP market in a more competitive world.
1 Tk or Taka – Bangladeshi currency; exchange rate with USD was Tk. 69 (approx.) during 2007-08.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 86
Materials and Methods The Study Area The study was conducted in Sylhet Sadar— the most populated upazilla1 of the Sylhet division located in the northern part of the country. The upazilla has been famous in the country for some specific NTFPs for many decades. The main products include cane-based products and sitalpati2. The area has experienced rapid development in the last few years and thousands of people from the countryside have migrated to the area, seeking a better livelihood. Administratively, the upazilla occupies an area of 517.43 km2, including 19.22 km2 of government forest area (BBS, 1996). Geographically, the upazilla is located between 24°43´ and 25°05´ north latitudes and between 91°40´ and 92°01´ east longitudes. To the north, the upazilla is bounded by Companiganj and Gowainghat upazillas, on the east by Golapganj and Kanighat upazillas, on the south by Balaganj and Fenchuganj upazillas and on the west by Bishwanath upazilla and Chhatak upazilla of the Sunamganj district (Figure 1). Data Collection Fieldwork for the study was conducted between late 2007 and late 2008. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through direct field visits and interviews with traders/sellers and consumers/buyers of NTFPs. A total of 25 NTFP shops were surveyed. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which included the NTFPs and finished products available in the shops, the local or trade name, origin, major uses, trends of trade and the respondent’s view on the major challenges of NTFPs trading. Consumer information (n = 12) was collected using an open-ended, but short discussion in the NTFP shop/stall, with their consent.
1 sub-district; administrative entity 2 A kind of sleeping mat prepared using Schumannianthus dichotoma
Materials and Methods
The Study Area
Data Collection
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 87
Figure 1 Map of the study area.
Results and Discussions General Background A total of 25 urban NTFP traders and 12 consumers were surveyed. All respondents were male. Most of the traders were illiterate (64%), whereas all the consumers were educated. The average age of the traders and consumers was 41 and 34 years, respectively. Around 72% traders had been in their profession for at least 10 years, whereas the remainder were relatively new in this profession (<3 years). Selling NTFPs was the main occupation for about 64% of the traders and the share of NTFP-based income to traders gross annual income varied between 28 and 100%.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 88
Marketing of NTFPs and Associated Goods Among the NTFP shops surveyed, around 64% shops were permanent, 28% were temporary (or semi-permanent) and 8% were mobile shops (Figure 2). The permanents shops were usually located in multistoried buildings and sold mainly luxury (decorative) goods for household and corporate use. These products were mostly manufactured from canes (Calamus spp. and Daemonorops jenkensianus). The average labor force employed in these shops was about 2.4 people. The temporary or semi-permanent shops were located on the roadside and were usually a semi-permanent or temporary structure or even sometimes found in open spaces. The mobile shops were arranged in a specialized vehicle and sold mainly domestic utensils at a reasonable price.
Figure 2 Types of shops surveyed. A total of 38 NTFPs and associated goods were recorded from 25 NTFPs shops that were surveyed. Among the products, 18 were based on bamboo, 15 were made using cane and 9 were based on other raw materials. Table 1 presents data on the products, their origin, uses, prices, availability and trend of demand. The NTFPs were classified into three broad categories: domestic utensils (necessary), domestic decorative articles (luxury) and others (e.g., construction, corporate). According to this classification, 23 articles were
Type of shop
Permanent Temporary Mobile
Num
ber o
f sho
ps
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Marketing of NTFPs and Associated Goods
Figure 2
Volume 11: W
domestic (nconstruction(manufacturbeing in 92%products rankinds of NTFigure 4, bei
Figure 3 NT
Figure 4 Sh
Wood Products a
necessary), 11 n or other cored from Thys% of the shopsnged between TFPs to the toting highest (40
TFPs by major
hare of income
and Bio-Based M
were luxury orporate purpsanolaena maxs surveyed. ThTk 20 and Tktal NTFPs bas0%) for decora
use.
e from various
Materials
goods and thposes (Figure xima) was thehe prices of the 7500. The sha
sed income of ative or luxury
s NTFPs.
he rest were 3). The hous most commoe NTFPs and aare of the threthe traders is
y goods.
89
used for se broom on article, associated ee diverse s given in
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 90
Changing Consumption and Trade Patterns: Strategy and Adaptations in a Competitive World A comparison of income from the sale of NTFPs and associated products in the surveyed shops is presented in Figure 5. Estimates were obtained from the traders of their present income and their income 10 years ago (approximately 1997-98) from selling only such kind of products. A dramatic increase in sales (from Tk96 000 per year ten years ago to Tk288 000 per year at present) in the case of permanent shops that usually sold mainly luxury or decorative goods was reported by the traders. The temporary (or semi -permanent) shops reported that their present income had nearly doubled compared to their income 10 years ago (Tk108 000 per year ten years ago to Tk192 000 per year at present). It was not possible to obtain the previous income of the mobile shops since they were a relatively new adaptation to cope with changing NTFPs markets. The changes in these values could be attributed to changes in consumption (based on quantity sold or demanded), value change of the products and changes in the local currency.
Figure 5 Income comparison from NTFPs. In the market, alternatives or substitutes were found for about 12 products (i.e., 32% of total recorded products). Most of the substitute products were made from either plastic or steel, which made them more durable and attractive. Interestingly, it was found that most of the traders now kept most
Permanent Temporary Mobile
Type of shop
10 years ago Present
Ann
ual s
ale
(10
000
Tk)
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 91
of the substitutes in their shops along with NTFPs. Other major adaptations and strategies included: arranging mobile shops in public places or providing a door-to-door service at a more reasonable price; the addition of aesthetic products with more attention to finishing while manufacturing; more publicity of shops; and greater user compatibility of products.
Figure 6 An urban NTFP shop in Sylhet city. Source: Mukul (2007)
Figure 7 A mobile NTFP shop in the study area. Source: Mukul (2007)
An urban NTFP shop in Sylhet city. Mukul (2007)
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 92
Figure 8 Person on foot selling broomsticks for domestic use. Source: Mukul (2008)
Figure 9 A weekly village NTFP market (hat) arranged on the roadside. Source: Mukul (2008)
Person on foot selling broomsticks for domestic use. Mukul (2008)
Figure 8
Figure 9
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 93
Tabl
e 1
T
he d
iver
sity
of N
TFP’
s/as
soci
ated
pro
duct
s in
the
loca
l mar
ket o
f the
stud
y ar
ea.
No.
A
rtic
le(s
) Ra
w m
ater
ial(s
)/ so
urce
(s)
Pric
e ra
nge
(T
k)1
Ava
ilabi
lity2
Maj
or u
se(s
) Re
mar
ks3
Com
mon
nam
e Lo
cal/
trad
e na
me
01
Bam
boo
culm
s Ba
nsh
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
20-1
50
per c
ulm
12
(48)
Co
nstr
uctio
n,
dom
estic
ut
ensil
�
M
eloc
anna
bac
cife
ra
02
Bask
et
Jhur
i M
eloc
anna
bac
cife
ra
Tk25
-50
16
(64)
D
omes
tic
uten
sil
–, �
03
Bask
et T
ukri
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
75-2
00
06 (2
4)
Cons
truc
tion
wor
k (fo
r la
bore
r)
�
Ca
lam
us sp
p.
04
Bird
cage
Pa
khir
kh
acha
Ba
mbu
sa sp
p.
Tk75
-200
09
(36)
D
omes
tic
(luxu
ry g
ood)
�,
�
05
Book
shel
f Bo
oksh
elf
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
100-
250
11
(44)
D
omes
tic
�, �
Mel
ocan
na b
acci
fera
06
Bo
oksh
elf
Book
shel
f Ca
lam
us sp
p.
Tk50
0-10
00
11 (4
4)
Dom
estic
(lu
xury
goo
d)
�
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
07
Broo
m
Phul
jhar
u Th
ysan
olae
na m
axim
a Tk
20-5
0 23
(92)
D
omes
tic
�, �
08
Br
oom
Jh
aru
Coco
s nuc
ifera
Tk
30-5
0 13
(52)
D
omes
tic
–
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 94
Tabl
e 1
(C
ont.)
No.
A
rtic
le(s
) R
aw m
ater
ial(s
)/
sour
ce(s
) Pr
ice
rang
e
(Tk)
1 A
vaila
bilit
y2 M
ajor
use
(s)
Rem
arks
3 C
omm
on n
ame
Loca
l/ tr
ade
nam
e 09
Br
ush
-
Mel
ocan
na b
acci
fera
Tk
25-5
0 08
(32)
D
omes
tic
�, �
Phoe
nix
sylv
estr
is
10
Cag
e (c
hick
en)
Kha
cha
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
75-1
50
07 (2
8)
Dom
estic
�
11
Cei
ling
clea
ner
- M
eloc
anna
bac
cife
ra
Tk20
-65
04 (1
6)
Dom
estic
�
Ph
oeni
x sy
lves
tris
12
C
hair
C
hair
Ca
lam
us sp
p.
Tk20
0-12
50
07 (2
8)
Dom
estic
(lu
xury
goo
d)
�
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
13
Cor
ner
Cor
ner
Cala
mus
spp.
Tk
350-
1000
06
(24)
D
omes
tic
(luxu
ry g
ood)
�
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
14
Cra
dle
D
olna
Ca
lam
us sp
p.
Tk10
00-2
500
06
(24)
D
omes
tic
�, �
Dae
mon
orop
s je
nken
sianu
s
15
Doo
rmat
Pa
posh
Co
cos n
ucife
ra
Tk50
-100
12
(48)
D
omes
tic
uten
sil
�, �
16
Easy
cha
ir
Easy
cha
ir
Cala
mus
spp.
Tk
850-
2000
08
(32)
D
omes
tic
(luxu
ry g
ood)
�
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
Tabl
e 1
No.
A
rtic
le(s
) R
aw m
ater
ial(s
)/
sour
ce(s
) Pr
ice
rang
e
(Tk)
1 A
vaila
bilit
y2 M
ajor
use
(s)
Rem
arks
3 C
omm
on n
ame
Loca
l/ tr
ade
nam
e
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 95
Tabl
e 1
(C
ont.)
No.
A
rtic
le(s
) R
aw m
ater
ial(s
)/ so
urce
(s)
Pric
e ra
nge
(T
k)1
Ava
ilabi
lity2
Maj
or u
se(s
) R
emar
ks3
Com
mon
nam
e Lo
cal/
trad
e na
me
17
False
wal
l Fa
lse w
all
Cala
mus
spp.
Tk
750-
1500
05
(20)
D
omes
tic
(luxu
ry g
ood)
�
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
18
Fenc
e
Bera
Ba
mbu
sa sp
p.
Tk50
-100
07
(28)
Co
nstr
uctio
n,
dom
estic
use
�
M
eloc
anna
bac
cife
ra
19
Fish
ing
cage
A
nta
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
75-1
00
03 (1
2)
Dom
estic
�
20
Flow
er v
esse
l -
Cala
mus
spp.
Tk
300-
750
06
(24)
D
omes
tic
(luxu
ry g
ood)
�
H
olde
r
Dae
mon
orop
s je
nken
sianu
s
21
Han
d fa
n
Hat
pha
kha
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
20-4
0
09 (3
6)
Dom
estic
�,
�
22
Han
d fa
n
Hat
pha
kha
Bora
ssis
flabe
llife
r Tk
20-3
5
06 (2
4)
Dom
estic
�,
�
23
Mat
Si
tal p
ati
Schu
man
nian
thus
di
chot
oma
Tk25
0-10
00
11 (4
4)
Dom
estic
�
24
Mat
M
adur
-
Tk10
0-20
0
10 (4
0)
Dom
estic
�,
�
25
Mat
D
ari
Typh
a el
epha
ntin
a Tk
50-8
5
13 (5
2)
Cons
truc
tion,
do
mes
tic
�
26
Mat
C
hata
i Ba
mbu
sa sp
p.
Tk35
-100
10
(40)
Co
nstr
uctio
n
�
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 96
Tabl
e 1
(C
ont.)
No.
A
rtic
le(s
) R
aw m
ater
ial(s
)/
sour
ce(s
) Pr
ice
rang
e
(Tk)
1 A
vaila
bilit
y2 M
ajor
use
(s)
Rem
arks
3 C
omm
on n
ame
Loca
l/ tr
ade
nam
e 27
M
irro
r ho
lder
M
irro
r ho
lder
Ca
lam
us sp
p.
Tk15
0-45
0
05 (2
0)
Dom
estic
(lu
xury
goo
d)
�
28
Ric
ksha
w h
ood
R
icks
haw
ho
od
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
450-
1000
04
(16)
In
dust
rial
�
29
Show
pie
ces /
Sh
ow p
iece
s Ba
mbu
sa sp
p.
Tk50
-200
0
11 (4
4)
Dom
estic
(lu
xury
goo
d)
�
H
andi
craf
ts
Ca
lam
us sp
p.
(v
ario
us)
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
30
Siev
e
Cha
luni
Ba
mbu
sa sp
p.
Tk50
-150
12
(48)
D
omes
tic
uten
sil
–, �
31
Sofa
set
Sofa
set
Cala
mus
spp.
Tk
2000
-750
0
08 (3
2)
Dom
estic
(lu
xury
goo
d),
�
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
corp
orat
e us
e
32
Tea
/sid
e ta
ble
Te
a ta
ble
Ca
lam
us sp
p.
Tk10
00-1
750
09
(36)
D
omes
tic
(luxu
ry g
ood)
�
D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
33
Tabl
e la
mp
Ta
ble
lam
p
Cala
mus
spp.
Tk
500-
1500
09
(36)
D
omes
tic
�
Dae
mon
orop
s je
nken
sianu
s
Tabl
e 1
No.
A
rtic
le(s
) R
aw m
ater
ial(s
)/
sour
ce(s
) Pr
ice
rang
e
(Tk)
1 A
vaila
bilit
y2 M
ajor
use
(s)
Rem
arks
3 C
omm
on n
ame
Loca
l/ tr
ade
nam
e
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 97
Tabl
e 1
(C
ontin
ued)
1 So
urce
: M
arke
t sur
vey
duri
ng Ju
ne-A
ugus
t 200
8.
2 Th
e av
aila
bilit
y of
the
pro
duct
in
the
num
ber
of s
hops
in
rela
tion
to t
he t
otal
num
ber
of s
hops
sur
veye
d, n
umbe
r in
par
enth
eses
ind
icat
e
th
e pe
rcen
tage
.
3 Tr
end
of u
tiliz
atio
n (b
ased
on
mar
ket
dem
and/
sell;
�-
incr
ease
d; �
- de
crea
sed;
– -
unc
hang
ed)
and
pres
ence
of
subs
titut
e (�
-su
bstit
ute
pres
ent)
.
No.
A
rtic
le(s
) Ra
w m
ater
ial(s
)/ so
urce
(s)
Pric
e ra
nge
(T
k)1
Ava
ilabi
lity2
Maj
or u
se(s
) Re
mar
ks3
Com
mon
nam
e Lo
cal/
trad
e na
me
34
Wal
king
stic
k
Hat
lath
i D
aem
onor
ops
jenk
ensia
nus
Tk10
0-25
0
08 (3
2)
Dom
estic
–
35
- M
ora
Ca
lam
us sp
p.
Tk25
0-70
0
10 (4
0)
Dom
estic
–
36
- M
ora
Ba
mbu
sa sp
p.
Tk10
0-25
0
07 (2
8)
Dom
estic
�,
�
37
- K
ula
Ba
mbu
sa sp
p.
Tk75
-125
07
(28)
D
omes
tic
uten
sil
�
38
- Bh
ar
Bam
busa
spp.
Tk
75-1
50
02 (0
8)
- –
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 98
Major Problems, Challenges and Expectations: the Seller’s and Consumer’s View Table 2 lists the major constraints in the development and trading of NTFPs and associated products according to the traders in the locality. Most of the traders (84%) identified competition with substitute goods as the major challenge to NTFPs nowadays. Other challenges included: scarcity of raw materials (72%), high production and processing cost of products (72%) and changes in consumer taste (64%). Table 3 shows that consumers’ expectations of various NTFPs and associated goods were mainly concentrated on their visual value (83%), followed by user compatibility (75%) and durability (67%) of products. Table 2 Major problems and challenges in NTFPs trading: the sellers view.
Challenges/issues No. of sellers opined (sellers) Competition among the sellers Competition with other substitute goods
(mainly made of plastic) Consumers attitudinal change
(in preference) Increased cost in production and
processing Increased shop rent, and other cost Lack of institution to encourage or
trained local crafters/karigar Market insecurity (seasonal demand
fluctuation) Poor government and NGO support Scarcity of raw materials Unwillingness of future generations to
enter this profession.
09 (36) 21 (84)
16 (64)
18 (72)
08 (32) 07 (28)
11 (44)
09 (36) 18 (72) 06 (24)
Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate percentage.
Major Problems, Challenges and Expectations: the Seller’s and Consumer’s View
Table 2
Challenges/issues No. of sellers opined (sellers)
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 99
Table 3 Consumers’ expectations on NTFPs.
Expectations/issues No. of respondents (consumers) Should be chiefly available 06 (50) Products should be attractive (aesthetic
value) 10 (83)
Should be cheap 07 (58) Should be durable 08 (67) Should have multipurpose use 05 (42) User friendly / compatibility with user 09 (75)
Note: Number in parentheses indicate percentage.
Conclusions
Although the study illustrated a changing and challenging situation in the NTFPs market, it also uncovered some innovative approaches developed by NTFPs traders that helped them to minimize adversity under the changing market conditions. For a business to suceed, all elements of the value chain should work well together (Belcher and Schreckenberg, 2007) and government and non-government development organizations (NGOs) need to play a key role to strengthen the existing market that will ultimately improve the quality of living of the people who are directly or indirectly dependent on this sector/profession. Government and NGOs could: support research on NTFPs development, domestication and promotion; provide small loans to the small-scale entrepreneurs; help in the technical advancement of the processing units; and assist with storage. They could also play an important role in maintaining effective coordination among producers and consumers and could offer some skill development programs to the workers involved in manufacturing NTFPs and associated products.
Acknowledgements The authors indebted to Mr M.R. Tito, Mr M.A.S.A. Khan and Mr P. Rana for accompanying them in the field several times. Thanks are also recorded to the respondents for their cooperation and patience during the interview period.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World 100
References Ahmed, R., A.N.M.F. Islam, M. Rahman and M.A. Halim. 2007. Management
and economic value of Schumannianthus dichotoma in rural homesteads in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management 3: 252–258.
Akhter, S., M.A. Halim, M.S.I. Sohel, S.K. Sarker, M.S.H. Chowdhury and S.S. Sonet. 2008. A review on the use of non-timber forest products in beauty-care in Bangladesh. Journal of Forestry Research 19(1): 72–78.
Alam, M.K. 1992. Medical ethnobotany of the Marma tribe of Bangladesh. Economic Botany 46(3): 330-335.
Alamgir, M., M.A.R. Bhuiyan, M. Jashimuddin and M.S. Alam. 2006. Economic profitability of cane based furniture enterprises of Chittagong City Corporation Area, Bangladesh. Journal of Forestry Research 17(2): 153–156.
Arnold, J.E.M and M. Ruiz Pérez. 1996. Framing the issues relating to non-timber forest products research, pp.1-18. In M. Ruiz Pérez and J.E.M. Arnold, eds. Current Issues in Non-Timber Forest Products Research. CIFOR-ODA, Bogor, Indonesia.
Arnold, J.E.M. and M. Ruiz Pérez. 2001. Can non-timber forest products match tropical forest conservation and development objectives? Ecological Economics 39(3): 437-447.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). 1996. Bangladesh population census 1991, community series, Zilla: Sylhet. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Banik, R.L. 1998. Bamboo resources, management and utilization in Bangladesh, pp. 137-150. In A. N. Rao and V. R Rao, eds. Bamboo conservation, diversity, ecogeography, germplasm, resource utilization and taxonomy. Proceedings of training course cum workshop, 10–17 May 1998, Kunming and Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China.
Basit, M.A. 1995. Non-wood forest products from the mangrove forests of Bangladesh, pp. 193-200. In P.B. Durst and A. Bishop, eds. Beyond Timber: Social, Economic and Cultural Dimensions of Non-Wood Forest Products in Asia and the Pacific. Proceedings of a Regional Expert Consultation, 28 November - 2 December 1994, Bangkok. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP), Bangkok.
References
Volume 11: Wood Products and Bio-Based Materials 101
Belcher, B. and K. Schreckenberg. 2007. Commercialisation of Non-timber Forest Products: A Reality Check. Development Policy Review 25(3): 355-377.
Caldecott, J.O. 1988. Hunting and wildlife management in Sarawak. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
Chowdhury, M.S.H., M.S. Uddin, F. Haque, N. Muhammed. and M. Koike. 2007. Indigenous management of patipata (Schumannianthus dichotoma) plantation in the rural homesteads of Bangladesh. Subtrop. Journal of Subtropical Agricultural Research and Development 5(1): 202–207.
De Beer, J.H. and M.J. McDermott. 1996. The Economic Value of Non-Timber Forest Products in Southeast Asia. 2nd revised edition. Netherlands Committee for IUCN, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
GOB. 1993. Forestry Master Plan: Participatory Forestry. Government of Bangladesh. Asian Development Bank (TA No. 1355-BAN) UNDP/FAO/BGD 88/025, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Khan, S. A. and N. A. Khan. 1994. Non-wood forest products of Bangladesh: an overview. Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science, 23(1): 45-50.
Miah, M.D. and M.S.H. Chowdhury. 2003. Indigenous healthcare practice through medicinal plants from forests by the Mro tribe in Bandarban region, Bangladesh. INDILINGA- African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems 2(2): 61-73.
Motaleb, M.A. and Hossain, M. K. 2008. Dependency of rural livelihood on non wood forest products (NWFPs) in Hathazari upazila, Chittagong, Bangladesh. International Journal of Forest Usufructs Management 99(1): 1-7.
Mukul, S.A. 2008. Integrating biodiversity conservation and livelihood provisions in protected area management: understanding stakeholders view on the role and prospects of non-timber forest products, A Bangladesh case study. Poster presented at the international conference; ‘Towards sustainable land-use in tropical Asia’, 23-26 April 2008, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Mukul, S.A., M.B. Uddin, and M.R. Tito. 2007. Medicinal plant diversity and local healthcare among the people living in and around a conservation area of northern Bangladesh. International Journal of Forest Usufructs Management 98(2): 50-63.
102
Nath, T.K., Mindurural
Pimentel, Dvalu91–1
Sedjo, R.A. beneand of thMecManWag
Uddin, M.B.and (TypBangDeve
Uddin, M.B.throuNatiQuazand Nish
Uddin, M.S.AlamcottamarkScale
Vantomme, prodBang
Wunder, S. syne
FORT
M.B. Uddin anustry in econol Bangladesh. T
D., M. Mcnair,e of forests t
120. 2002. Tropic
efits be capturCapturing the
he Internationahanisms in
nagement of geningen, Neth., S.A. Mukul,S. Fujikawa.
pha elephantingladesh. Journelopment 4(3). and Mukul, Sugh NTFPs aonal Park, ppzi, eds. MakinProtected Are
horgo Support ., Mukul, S.A.m, M.S. 2008. age enterprisesketing and poe Forestry 7(2)
P., A. Markducts in 15 cogkok, Thailand2000. Poverty
ergies? World D
TROP II: Tropic
nd R. Ahmed. omic upliftmenThe Malaysian, L. Buck, M.to world food
cal Forests ared?, pp. 63-66e Multiple Valal Seminar on
Support ofTropical F
herlands. M.A.S.A. Kh2006. Indigen
na Roxb.) in lonal of Subtr: 114-119.
S.A. 2007. Impand Home Gap 13-35. In J.ng Conservatioeas in BangladProject of Ban., Khan, M.A.Small-scale Ags in Maulvibaz
otential contrib): 139-149. kkula and R.untries of Tro
d. y alleviation aDevelopment
cal Forestry Cha
2000. Role of nt of rural pon Forester 63(3 Pimentel andd security. H
nd Poverty A6. In P. Verwlues of TropicaValuation and
f ConservatioForests. Trop
an, M.S.H. Chnous managemocal plantationropical Agric
roving Forest ardens: A cas Fox, B. Bushon Work: Lindesh. East-Wengladesh ForestS.A., Alamgir,gar (Aquilaria zar district of Bbution to rura
.N. Leslie, 20opical Asia: an
and tropical fo29(11): 1817-1
ange in a Changi
f bamboo basedor: A case stu
3): 98–105. d J. Kamil. 19
Human Ecolog
Alleviation- hweij, ed. Under
al Forests. Prod Innovative Fon and Supenbos Inter
howdhury, M.ment practices ns of floodplainultural Resea
Dependent Live study fromhley, S. Dutt king Rural Liv
