Improving commercialization of Cola spp. in Cameroon - applying lessons from NTFPs in a context of domestication

• Published in: The international forestry review Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 112 - 123
• Main Authors: Ferket, Degrande, Van Damme, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Commonwealth Forestry Association 01.09.2015
• Subjects: Agroforestry Tree Products; Non-Timber Forest Products; Transaction Costs; Value Chains; Women
• ISSN: 1465-5489
• DOI: 10.1505/146554815816086408

Development organizations and research institutes worldwide have implemented numerous projects that target improved production, use and commercialization of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Agroforestry Tree Products (AFTPs) for livelihoods, markets and biodiversity purposes. These projects aim to contribute towards the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating poverty and hunger and promoting social equity and environmental sustainability. Given the current lack of impact studies, this review paper attempts to summarize the bottlenecks, potentials and impacts of improved NTFP commercialization, and apply the lessons learnt in a context of emerging domestication efforts on cola nut (Cola spp.) in Cameroon. Several limitations to increased cola commercialisation are listed. There are biological constraints, as well as those related to market organization. Projects aiming to improve NTFP/AFTP commercialization have the potential to improve farmers' livelihoods and to contribute to the conservation of the natural resources. However, no consensus on the real impact could be deduced from evaluation studies, since some of these projects failed to deliver the expected benefits in terms of poverty alleviation, led to resource overexploitation and put pressure on traditional tenure systems. On the other hand, collective action at producer level was found to result in improved market information, increased product quality and quantity, reduced transaction costs, enhanced negotiating abilities and strengthened social bonds. Benefitting also traders, group sales comprised a win-win situation. Finally, this article looks at the position of women who are important NTFP/AFTP value chain actors and finds that improved commercialization can have both positive and negative effects on women's livelihoods.