Working conditions in non-timber forest products gathering in eastern Cameroon

Abstract

Non-timber forest product (NTFP) contributes to the livelihoods of about 2 billion people worldwide, and are among the most valuable plant resources for current and future food security. However, their exploitation is becoming problematic due to their increasing scarcity and the rudimentary and arduous working conditions for rural populations whose incomes are inextricably linked. The aim of this study was to analyze the working conditions of NTFP harvesters in Eastern Cameroon, in order to detect bottlenecks and ultimately to propose ways of improvement. The methodological approach consisted of semi-structured surveys of 180 households belonging to two ethnic groups, including Baka and Bantou. This was done in three villages around Boumba Bek and Nki national parks (BBNNP). Surveys focused on working conditions related to five important NTFPs, namely Irvingia gabonensis, Ricinodendron heudelotii, Monodora myristica, Afrostyrax lepidophyllus and Afromomum melegueta. Distance walking from villages to gathering sites, working time and drudgery perception were studied comparatively for these two ethnic groups. Results show that the most active age group in NTFP gathering is between 30 and 45 for Bantou and Baka. Baka travel longer distances in forests, reaching records of over 23 km to gather NTFP. R. heudelotii is the most time-consuming species gathered. I. Gabonensis and A. lepidophyllus also require significant working time. Overall, the two ethnic groups have almost similar drudgery perceptions involved in all NTFP gathering activities. A. lepidophyllus and R. heudelotii showed the highest drudgery scores compared with other NTFPs. The domestication of priority NTFP species and the provision of shelling machines would improve the working conditions of local populations.