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Rural household participation in markets for non-timber forest products in Zambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2013

Brian P. Mulenga ,
Robert B. Richardson ,
Gelson Tembo  and
Lawrence Mapemba
Brian P. Mulenga
Affiliation:
Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute, Lusaka, Zambia. E-mail: pingulani@yahoo.com
Robert B. Richardson
Affiliation:
Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222, USA. E-mail: rbr@msu.edu
Gelson Tembo
Affiliation:
University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. E-mail: tembogel@gmail.com
Lawrence Mapemba
Affiliation:
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi. E-mail: l_mapemba@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) support livelihoods in rural communities through provision of food, fuel, materials, medicines and income from sales. We estimated the contribution of NTFPs to rural household income in Zambia, and used a two-stage tobit alternative model to identify the factors associated with participation in NTFP markets. NTFPs accounted for 35 per cent of household income for participating households, second only to trading. Human capital variables and the value of assets were found to be significant determinants of both participation in business activities related to NTFPs and the associated household income, and the poor were more dependent on NTFPs than wealthier households. The effect of average rainfall underscores the role that NTFPs play in providing a safety net during periods of low crop yields. Rural development policies should recognize the role played by NTFPs in rural livelihoods and the need to balance welfare improvement and sustainable forest management.

Type
Research Article
Information
Environment and Development Economics , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , August 2014 , pp. 487 - 504
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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