Social and economic values chain assessment of key non-timber forest products around Mbam and Djerem National Parks ecoregion of Cameroon: Case of Xylopia aethiopica, Beilschmiedia anacardioides and Beilschmiedia jacques-felixii

Abstract

The periphery of Mbam and Djerem National Park in Cameroon harbors valuable forest resources including key non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that contribute to sustain livelihood of many people in terms of consumption and income generation. However, poor studies have been carried out to assess the socio-economic importance of the value chain of key NTFPs, threats on resources and implication for trade development. We used the value chain analysis approach to map and assess the socio-economic importance of the value chain of three key NTFPs such as Xylopia aethiopica, Beilschmiedia anacardioides and Beilschmiedia jacques-felixii, from forest to market place. The results of the study showed that interesting parts of the plants are the fruits that are harvested and processed for sale or local consumption. Annual profit margins for 17 producers of B. anacardioides and B. jacques-felixiiare was estimated at 1,196,188 FCFA (2023.45 USD) representing 68%, and for 52 producers of X. aethiopica was estimated at 31,280,000 FCFA (52912.57 USD) accounting for 85%. This constitutes an important contribution to the total income of producers of these NTFPs across the region. Profit margins of wholesalers are more important than that of producers and can be classified as follows: 11 wholesaler’s of B. anacardioides and B.  jacques-felixii, 1,908,937 FCFA (3229.12 USD) representing 75% (t-test, df= 26; p= 0.0004); and 20 wholesalers of X. aethiopica, 51,888,000 FCFA (87772.61 USD) representing 94% (t-test, df= 70; p=0.0009). The exploitation of X. aethiopica is practiced by felling the trees and the species recorded a high vulnerable index (VI = 2.61). This practice jeopardizes the natural regeneration of the species in the undergrowth and alters the structure and floristic composition of the plant communities. In the north-eastern part of the park, local people manage the existing species through enrichment plantings. Key words: Values, plant species, products, park, Cameroon.