Factors influencing exploitation of non timber forest products and their contribution to household income among communities adjacent to Singore forest, Elgeyo Marakwet county

Abstract

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) is a major source of income for many households. Large amount of NTFPs are harvested and traded every year in Keiyo North District. Due to limited information, inadequate cooperation and co-ordination among stakeholders, there are many challenges in NTFPs exploitation, use and sale. This research was carried out with the specific objectives of; finding out the number of households that participate in NTFPs harvesting, estimating the amount of household income derived from the Non Timber Forest Products and to investigate the factors influencing the harvesting of Non Timber Forest Products. The study was carried out in Singore forest, Keiyo North District in Elgeiyo Marakwet County. Primary data was collected through group discussion, key informant survey, questionnaire survey and direct field observation. Secondary data was collected from population census, Forest Department records, annual reports from Ministry of Agriculture and Annual reports for local NGOs among others. The quantitative data was analyzed using appropriate statistical tools like percentage, mean and summaries accordingly. The Cragg Tobit alternative model was used to examine the probability of a household to derive income from NTFP business activities, and determinants of the level of contribution of NTFPs to household income in Singore area. Results showed that among NTFPs, firewood was the most common source of income, with 63% of households engaged in NTFP business activities having reported income from firewood harvesting and sale. Following firewood was broom grass, sun grass, weaving reeds, wild vegetables, medicinal plants, wild honey and game meat respectively. Income from firewood activities also represented the highest share of income (37%) followed by broom grass (19%), sun grass with a contribution of 12% while wild vegetables are the next with 8% of total household income. Weaving reeds, wild honey and game meat follow with 11%, 7% and 2% respectively. Overall, NTFPs collectively contribute about 28% to total household income amongst those households that reported income from this source. In order to determine the relationship between poverty and dependence upon NTFPs, households were categorized into four income quartiles according to total household income. The results showed that the wealthiest (top 25%) households depended less on NTFPs than the poorest (bottom 25%). However, in terms of their contribution to household income, NTFPs constituted a higher proportion of household income for the poorest quartile (45%, compared to 29% for the richest quartile), suggesting that the rural poor are relatively more dependent upon natural resources for their livelihoods. Therefore, since NTFPs seem to play an important part in supporting rural household livelihoods, rural residents should be made to understand that the continued availability of NTFPs depends largely, on the integrity of the forests