Ex-Situ Cultivation of Non Timber Forest Products (Case of Gnetum spp)
Summary
Gnetum spp (Eru) is a highly priced and harvested non-timber
forest product in the Mount Cameroon Region. It is already commercially
extinct in this region. Harvesting is unsustainable and involves tree
felling and off rooting of vines. This contributes to the region’s
forest degradation.
The defunct Mount Cameroon Project (MCP) concentrated on the
management of key resources like fuel wood, bush meat and Prunus
africana. It organized resource users (farmers, charcoal burners, fuel
wood exploiters and hunters) and monitored their activities. The
introduction and implementation of exploitation quotas regulated
resource use. MCP closure, inadequate follow-up and financing led to
increased irrational exploitation.
This project contributed to forest conservation by reducing pressure on wild eru stock through:
- Training of farmers, charcoal burners, fuel wood exploiters and hunters on
ex-situ cultivation and sustainable management of wild eru
- Promotion of enrichment planting, (encouraging natural regeneration)
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Eru Farm Established by Trainees
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Summary of Results of the Project This
project sensitized 211 resource users (107 men & 104 women) on the
rational exploitation and cultivation of ntfps and the link to
biodiversity conservation. It then built the capacity of 179 (92 women
& 86 men) on ex-situ cultivation of Gnetum spp through the
organisation of 7 training workshops, 63 technical support visits, 4
exchange visits and an open field day. As a result 7 eru demonstration
farms were established, and 13350 eru seedlings raised and distributed.
Implementation of forest legislation was fostered even though some
community members remained above the law. Forest management
institutions had local administration’s support. At the close of the
project change in livelihood was yet to occur. Except for one farmer
engaged in food service industry with eru from her farm, and who had
been involved in eru farming since 1999, all the other participants
were still to start reaping financial gains from their investment in
eru.
Results The project left behind nursery
facilities for the production and distribution of eru seedlings to
community members and some remain operational till date. This project
acted as a boaster as it contributed to the acquisition of a grant for
CENDEP to construct her own eru nursery for multiplication and
distribution of eru seedlings to sustain itself.
As an observation start up grants like this one can empower CBOs to
champion conservation work in their communities. A larger funding for a
second phase of this project with broader-based participation and
planning should be considered. Read the full report.
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