Sustainable management of NTFPs and MPN experience in the South-west Cameroon

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are defined as goods of biological origin other than wood called from natural, modifed or developed landscapes. These are fruits and nuts, vegetables, fisheries and game products, medicinal plants, resins, roots, a variety of barks and fibers such as bamboo, rattan, palms and herbs. NTFP sectors make a significant contribution to the national economy and to poverty reduction. But its contribution is still very insufficient in relation to the potential of the wealth and services that they can offer. 

The constraints to the full deployment of its economy are due to the inadequate legal and regulatory framework that does not ensure equitable access and poverty reduction; inadequate management of resource management and insignificant development of plantations that can guarantee high and sustained production; inefficient processing and marketing capacity; organization and structuring of actors unable to value the economic potential of the sectors. To this end, MINFOF provided Cameroon with a first National Development Plan for NTFPs in 2012 aimed at removing such constraints.

Within the framework of implementation of MINFOF’s PSMNR activities in the South-west region, with the consistent support of German Cooperation and Conservation partners (WWF, WCS, GIZ, GFA), an NTFP strategy have been developed with emphasis on the sustainable harvesting, management and commercialization of targets species such as Prunus africana, Bush mango and Njangsang. 

The communities have so far benefited from initiatives that range from the establishment of central multipurposes nurseries (MPN), establishment of extension plots, as well as designated satellite nursery sites in order enable them effectively contribute towards the Rural Resource Center (RRC) concept. These MPN sites are intended breeding grounds for improved varieties of cocoa, palms as well as NTFP species (bushmango, Njansang and Country onion).

The need for a non-timber forest products (NTFPs) development came up because it was realized that they are economic, social, cultural and environmental important to the local population. GIZ/ProPFE contribution to the program also places emphasis on the valorization of forest resources such as NTFP. This intervention has been directed following GIZ/ProPFE’s NTFP strategy with focus on : Development of community micro-enterprise development, co-managemnt of natural resources in protected areas, support to NTFP value chain and development of community individual/group nursery initiatives.

In accordance with the CDA negociations the park service assists the communities with Income Generating Activities (IGAs). One of this IGA is Multipurpose nurseries and Agro-forestry. There is need to ensure species sustainability and group functioning, which takes into consideration skill/capacity building in specific relevant themes. Group dynamics as well as nursery establishment/management refreshers have been identified to be entry points to capacity building.

GIZProPFE Strategy

GIZ/ProPFE support technically and financialy the MINFOF on the implementation of the National Development Plan for NTFPs through the Implementation of the legal aspect of the National Development Plan for NTFPs ; Capacity building of NTFPs group ; Elaboration of the business plan ; Development of IGAs ; Domestication of NTFPs ; Access and benefit sharing ; Statistic collection.

The nursery project is an initiative of APs to implement the NDP of NTFPs, to improve the community livelihood and to mitigate the population pressure on wildlife resources. The nursery creation had started with a meeting between communities and the Park to know the real needs of the community. Which ended with the signature of the CDA.

Population motivation

Most of the nurseries were established in 2014 and some members of the nurseries group were trained by ICRAF on multiplication techniques like : macrotage, graphting, propagation by cutting … .The Multipurpose Nurseries groups are well organized with strong exco members. They have a status and an internal regulation. To be a member you have to pay the registration fees, which varies between new and old members. In Bakingili and Kotto, the dynamism of the chief make the group to be more cohesive. His involvement in the management of the Multipurpose Nurseries enable the communities to be more committed. The Chiefs sometimes organised meeting with members of the communities who are not nurseries member to work in the nurseries, hence, involvement of the communities is quarantee.

Benefit sharing

After the production, benefit is shared according to members attendance list ; which means more a member is active more he benifit. The seedlings are destinated for their farm for planting, while some are left for sales in order to continue the management of the nurseries. The distribution is set by the nursery attendance. In Bova II, 10% of the benefit return to the village. While in Kotto, the community have 10%, the traditional council 30% and the Multipurpose Nursery groups 60%.

Strengh of MPN

F Availability of land ;

F Availability of some nursery materials ;

F Active members ;

F Group dynamic and well structure ;

F Availability of a business plan ;

F Benefited Training /skills.

Weakness of MPN

F Maketing of the products is the biggest challenge ;

F Lack of motivation of some groups members and weak involvement of community in nursery activities ;

F Poor financial strengh and need of a running credit;

F Not yet legalised ;

F Unavailibility of seeds (like : dry season bush mango, cocoa, …) ;

F Insufficient inputs 

Lessons learned

The exchange visit was a good platform to learn from a community which more in advance in the management of MPN and NTFPs. It was noticed that MCNP have make a huge contribution for Multipurpose Nurseries establishment in its peripheral villages. The Multipurpose Nursery members master and apply well all the multiplication techniques. The success of the nursery in most community is raised by the committment of Multipurpose Nurseries groups members. But the marketing of NTFPs seeds and plants is still a big challenge for the nurseries development.

F The dynamism of the chief and his involvement is the key of success in the Multipurpose Nursery activities ;

F The Action plan and nursery attendance record play a major rule in work organization and sharing benefit ;

F The application of the differents multiplication techniques permit to have improve varieties with short time to harvest ;

F The distribution of specifics tasks to nursery members improve their committment

Globally, the refresher training on nurseries establishment and management was a successful field school, with many demonstrations. The participants were well enlightened on the NDP for NTFPs, and on the importances of group dynamics, cooperative and group activities. In addition, they learned how to nurse bitter cola and bush mango, how NTFPs could help to alleviate poverty, and seed preparation and nursing techniques. Nevertheless, MPN operators requested for more training, like :

-         To learn the different NTFP transformation methods ;

-         Documentation and the procedures to legalise a group ;

-         Marketing techniques of seedlings ;

-         Multiplication techniques ;

-         Training on how to follow-up a plantation after transplanting of seedlings ;