Week 3: NTFPs of wood products

[Dan01]

NTFPs of wood products is vital products as a valued added which increases the value chain and reduces wood residues. Wooden products such as artifact, old buildings, shrines deity and several others.

[Ojo Adedeji Robert]

Good day everyone

You are welcome to today’s discussion on the e-base platform
We are focusing on NTFPs of wood products

Today we shall be continuing our discussion on the subject matter focusing on “NTFPs of wood products (e.g., firewood, charcoal, wood carvings, etc.) – opportunities for development and challenges”

Your opinions and discussions are highly welcome

[abbeylee (Ologun B. Freeman)]

Good morning all.
There is a bright value chain for woody NTFPs in Africa but should be well organized. Everyone at every stage should be formally registered so that any illegal activities can be traced/tracked and promptly curbed. There is market for the products at domestic and international level. The issue of quality should be faced squarely through QC/QA so that products can meet the required standards especially in the international market.
With the ban on charcoal production and export in some countries, illegal activities should be curbed to the barest minimum. There is huge markets for wood carvings in Nigeria where stumps, branches and even roots of some tree spp are utilized Tree spp like Ebony and Iroko. Those involved in this sub-sector should be made to work with loggers where the left overs after log extraction of desirable spp can be used.

[Ojo Adedeji Robert]

@Ologun Freeman

Thank you very much for your contribution, Can you please expatiate more on what QC/QA stands for?
The collectors are always afraid of the government trying to have their records because of level that will be placed on them for harvesting from the forest
How do you think Everyone at every stage should be formally registered?

[Christopher Komakech]

Research & Development in the following areas recommended

Domestication in Farm forestry/Agroforestry settings where food production is positively impacted (soil enrichment, soil degradation is combated by limiting runoffs etc) using indigenous as well as exotic tree species and should be done with researched-based evidence regarding species invasiveness etc. Acacias (Ind. and exotics), Casuarinas, Eucalyptus species and hybrids, Corymbia species and hybrids

Sustainable management/Silvicultural prescriptions are derived and documented in management guidelines (woodlots for energy as well as wood for carving). KEFRI/JAICA research work in the drylands with Acacia tortilis and Melia volkensii to be applauded and if possible expanded to include other species. In Tanzania, Pterocarpus angolensis seed sourced established in the dryland area by the Government which is showing that domestication of these species is possible.

Policy and regulatory framework needs to be in place and enforcement enhanced.

Coordination and info. dissemination at both national and regional levels (AFF ?)

Demand supply market analysis-Value chain analysis of wood carving/Charcoal at national and regional levels (East Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa). Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique data will be useful especially if shared?

And many more

[Ojo Adedeji Robert]

Thanks everyone,
lets keep bringing in our different ideas on the topic

[abbeylee (Ologun B. Freeman)]

Quality Assurance/ Quality control in terms of the raw materials, processes, packaging etc. This will ensure that the final products meet the local and international standards. The producers can register with the Charcoal Producers Association of Nigeria. Also, actors at the various stages on the chain can also be registered with the regulators (government at the various levels). With these the issue of illegality and short changing can be reduced if not completely curbed. Actors at the various stages can be held responsible for their actions and inactions. If well organized, actors can benefit from incentives given by government and the marketing of the products guaranteed.

[Author]

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