Economic Contribution of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to Rural Livelihoods in the Tharawady District of Myanmar

Junchang Liu

doi:10.18483/ijsci.904

Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) income plays an important role in the household economy in the rural forest dwelling communities. This study use the data from 60 sample households of the three villages in Tharwady District of Myanmar to analysis the significant of NTFPs income in the rural household economy. Data collection was carried out through face to face household interview, focus group discussion, and government official interview. This study found that NTFPs income contributes 44.37%, and farm income and non-farm income contribute 32.55% and 23.07% to the total household income respectively. The lower and middle income level households derived more NTFPs income than high income level households. For low income households, share of NTFPs income in the total household income is over 75%. Major NTFPs include bamboo, thatch, firewood, charcoal, bamboo shoot, broom grass, bark and root, and others. Regression analysis showed that farm income, non-farm income and agricultural land own are scientifically and negatively correlated with the NTFPs incomes. This study suggests that Community Forestry (CF) programmes together with extension and environmental education programmes should be encouraged in order to reduce dependence on the natural forests. In considering the CF programmes it should be encouraged the participation of low and middle income household.

Highlights

Myanmar, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is endowed with rich natural resources arising from its different ecological diversity
This study found that income from Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) plays an important role in the livelihood of local community
Study found that NTFPs income is the highest share in the total household income amounted to 44.37%, farm income is the second largest share after NTFPs income amounted to 32.55% and non-farm income amounted to 23.07%

Summary

Introduction

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is endowed with rich natural resources arising from its different ecological diversity. Total land area of the country is more than 67.66 million hectares. About 46.67% of the country area is still covered with natural forests (Forest Department, 2014). As nearly half of the country area is covered with forests, these forests are home of different timer and non-timber forest products species. Myanmar is the third greatest annual forest area reduction in the world (FAO, 2015). Myanmar forests are socially and economically significant to the country (Forest Department, 2014). According to census in 2014, population of the country is about 52 million. About 70% of the country population are rural community and depend on forest resources especially NTFPs for their subsistence and income needs

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