Harvesting techniques and market analysis of selected NTFPs in Nepal

Harvesting techniques and market analysis of selected NTFPs in Nepal

This research explores the existing harvesting and marketing practices of selected Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) species, and domestication of Non Timber Forest Species (NTFs) in the Makawanpur district of Nepal. Although, multiple comparisons are made but main focus is among the sites. Sub comparisons are made by forest night halters types and proximity from the road head and Area Forest Office (AFO). Furthermore, the research includes assessment of the highly traded species, identification of highly traded areas, issues on existing harvesting practice, formal and informal marketing chain and profit margin, understanding level of collectors, existing practice and future prospects of domestication and recommendations for the promotion of NTFPs.

The analysis is based on data collected from the NTFPs collectors of Handikhola, Manohari, Daman and Gogane Village Development Committees (VDCs), village traders, Makawanpur wholesalers, Indian traders, Indian wholesalers including Regional and District Workshops, and highly placed personnel of Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations (GOs/NGOs). Stratified random sampling with proportional allocation was used as a sampling tool. The research represents the whole district, as the samples taken cover both the high and low altitudinal zones.

Harvesting of Asparagus is found in Royal Chitwan National Park, though it is thoroughly banned by law. Similarly, Lichen in raw form is being exported to India, though the export in crude form is legally prohibited. Indiscriminate collection of both species is found in all sites because of poor monitoring and extension mechanism, and impractical allocation of property rights to the collectors. Profit margin of lower belt collectors is found satisfactory, but due to high transaction cost of illegal export profit margin of Lichen collectors is found very low. Night halters have higher profit margins in comparison to non-halters and the number of former is increasing every year. Informal practices are found from NTFPs collection permit to their delivery to the Indian wholesalers. Average understanding level on regulatory, marketing and technical aspects is found higher in lower belt collectors than upper belt collectors; and forest night non-halters than forest night halters. Domestication of NTFs is poor in all sites because of public land holding and low land holding size, and poor comprehensive programs. Some of the higher belt collectors are reluctant to plant NTFs, because of their well-established business of vegetable farming. However, many collectors, and community people are interested to further cultivation of NTFs on their unproductive lands. The preferred species are Asparagus and Sarpagandha in Low altitude areas and Chiraito and Nigalo in high altitude areas.

For proper harvesting there is need of supply based regulatory system, proper allocation of property right and appropriate season/time and scientific methods of NTFPs collection. Likewise, policy needs attention on empowerment of collectors through formulation of cooperatives, trainings and flow of market information. Policy further needs to emphasize institutional capacity building of forestry staff, in country processing and reviewing royalty rates. The comprehensive program for the domestication and preference of Leasehold Forestry in favor of collectors are of utmost importance. Further more, policy can be improved by organization of continuous and effective dialogue with the representatives of collectors, traders and the Non Governmental Organizations.

Deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Author retains copyright. Originally presented as an Asian IT MSc thesis, in 2002.