marketing pattern of non-timber forest products in a ......understanding changing consumption and...

Understanding changing consumption and marketing pattern of non-timber forest

products in a competitive world:case study from an urban area of north-eastern

Bangladesh

Sharif Ahmed Mukul1,* and Mohammad Belal Uddin1,2

1Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science

and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh

2Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany

*e-mail: [email protected]

NTFPs: the global perspective

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) – products mainly of biological origin other than commercial timber; derived either from forests or of similar land-uses/practices;

viewed nowadays as a key strategy for livelihood enhancement and forest conservation;

an estimated 80% people in developing world use NTFPs for their daily needs;

NTFPs generates 10-25 % (or even greater !) of total cash incomes of small-holders living in forest margins (Wunder 2000);

the global trade in NTFPs can be valued as much as of US$1.1 billion per annum (Bennett 2002).

Background and objective

FORTROP II International Conference

Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World17 – 20 November 2008, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

NTFPs of Bangladesh: a general picture

NTFPs provides major employment opportunities to more

than 300,000 rural poor people, and contribute approx. Tk.

1.3 billion annually (approx. 69 Tk = 1 US$);

more than 45,000 registered small-scale cottage

enterprises runs on NTFPs;

helps to empower women, cope with adversity (i.e.

economic uncertainty), and in achieving self-sufficiency;

Major NTFPs – bamboo, cane/rattan, weaving grasses,

medicinal plants, agar, rubber etc.



Contd.



however…

“markets becomes competitive due to availability of cheap (!), synthetic, attractive,

and more durable (!) substitutes”

this study aimed…

“to explore the changing marketing, and consumption pattern of NTFPs; sellers

adaptations and consumers expectations in a changing world”

Methodology market survey during June 2007 to June 2008;

key respondents (seller, n = 25) interview using a pre-set questionnaire;

open ended discussion with sellers and consumers.

General features of the study site Sylhet sadar; famous for cane and some other

weaved products;

have large stocks of natural and planted bamboo, cane, murta, rubber, and agar.



About the study



Location map

NTFPs stall surveyed permanent; located in multistoried buildings (n=16);

temporary (or semi-permanent; n=7);

mobile; arranged in special vehicle (n=2);

Respondents sellers (n=25); avg. age- 41; main profession for 64%;

Urban consumers (n=12); avg. age- 34.

Products…

Classified into domestic utensils (necessary); decorative articles (luxurious) and others (e.g. products used in

construction, corporate etc).



Key findings

Products diversity –

38 NTFP and NTFP-based/ associated products;

Uses- overlapping; domestic utensils, necessary (23); decorative use (luxurious; 11), and others (7);

18 were based on bamboo; 15 made using cane and 9 were based on other species;

Final price fluctuates between Tk. 20 -Tk 7,500 based on products; determined on the prices of raw materials, expertise, labor force and time required to manufacture the product;

Most common article – house broom; made using Thysanolaena maxima.



Contd…



56%27%

17%

Domestic (necessary)

Domestic (luxurious)

Others (e.g., construction, corporate)

Contd…

Fig. NTFPs by major use

23%

40%

37%

Domestic (necessary)

Domestic (luxurious)

Others (e.g., construction, corporate)

Fig. Share in NTFPs income

Changing NTFPs market: status and adaptations

changes in amount, value and types of products sold;

substitutes present for about 12 products (32%);

made of using either plastic or metal (mainly steel), and claimed as more durable, and attractive;

sellers are now keep both products in their stalls !

more emphasis on addition of products aesthetic value !

mobile shop services in public places with most preferred/required articles.

emphasis on user compatibility of products and publicity of products/shops.

Contd…



0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Permanent Temporary Mobile

Type of shop

An

nu

al sale

(10,0

00 T

k)

10 Years ago Present



Fig. Comparative incomes from selling NTFPs

Problems and challenges: sellers view

competitions amongst sellers (09, 36%);

presence of substitute goods (21, 84%);

consumers attitudinal change (16, 64%);

increased production and processing cost (18, 72%);

increased associated costs (08, 32%);

lack of institutional arrangement support (07, 28%);

market fluctuations (11, 44%);

poor government and NGO support (09, 36%);

shortage of raw materials (18, 72%);

unwillingness of future generations to continue this profession/business (06, 24%).



Contd…



Consumers’ expectations in a changing world

chiefly available (06, 50%);

should be attractive (10, 83%);

cheap (07, 58%);

durable (08, 67%);

multipurpose use (05, 42%);

user friendly / compatibility with user (09, 75%).

Contd…

The hopes for the future…

“although study illustrated a

challenging future, but it also

indicated that, to cope (or

minimize) the adversity the

sellers/traders has developed

some effective and innovative

approaches”



To ensure a secure future…

“government and NGO’s should provide small loans to the small-scale entrepreneurs; technical/advisory

supports in marketing, processing, storage of NTFPs, and capacity building and skill development of the

processors”

Also,

“should strengthen the research on NTFPs, its development, domestication and promotion that will

ultimately provide benefit the rural people”



Concluding comments

All the respondents

Mr. M.R. Tito

Mr. M.A.S.A. Khan

Mr. S.A. Munim

Mr. A.Z.M.M. Rashid

and

Organizing committee of the

FOTROP II Int. Conf.

Acknowledgements

marketing pattern of non-timber forest products in a ......understanding changing consumption and...

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