Economic and livelihood impacts of Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) in income of forest villagers of Rudsar, Guilan Province; case study Diospyros lotus fruit

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

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Abstract

Background and objectives: At recent decades, Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) have been considered as one of the important components in sustainable forest management and poverty reduction of local communities. These products are a sustainable income source for local people beside of other income source such as agriculture and animal husbandry. This factor create engagement and incentive to protect forests as sources of sustainable. Understanding the importance of these products without knowing the species and characteristics of quantity and quality of production of these species will be impossible. The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of production, the economic importance of these products in household’s income in three forest villages at Rudsar county of Guilan province.
Materials and methods: In this study, two methods were used. At first, inventory was used for estimating of fruit production and at second the socio-economic survey was done using questionnaire. Inventory was done systematically randomly with 30 samples with dimensions of 100 by 100 meters (one hectare). Within each sample, the nearest tree to the plot center was selected to measure the amount of production fruit. At the socio economic surveying 120 households at three villages was censed by the semi-structured interviews and direct observations in summer 2015.
Results: The results showed that the fruit production of each tree was about 25 kg. Based on the number of Diospyros lotus species per hectare (17 trees), about 425 kg fruit per hectare was produced. Total fruit collected by households of three villages of Lusara, Nurmash, and Siyahgal Chal was 3880 kg. The average annual harvest of households was 32 kg. Gross annual household income from fruit harvested varied from 230 to 2100 thousand Rials. The expected value of forest from fruit sources was 6050000 Rials per hectare. The fruit collection create employment for 15 person’s day annually.
Conclusion: These products create a good income for households. But at the current situation, the share of income of these products was relatively low. In addition to income, it is led to creating the employment opportunities. According to high addition value of processing operations, processing has been stated as a main income source. Establishing the local cooperative, holding educational courses, setting up the processing factories can increase income of households from these products.

Conclusion: These products create a good income for households. But at the current situation, the share of income of these products was relatively low. In addition to income, it is led to creating the employment opportunities. According to high addition value of processing operations, processing has been stated as a main income source. Establishing the local cooperative, holding educational courses, setting up the processing factories can increase income of households from these products.

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References

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Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 24, Issue 3
December 2017
Pages 95-108

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