Assessing the role of non timber forest products in developing household economy of tan binh commune in ben en national park

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT VIETNAM NATIONAL FORESTRY OF UNIVERSITY STUDENT THESIS Title ASSESSING THE ROLE OF NON- TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS IN DEVELOPING HOUSEHOLD ECO

INTRODUCTION

Non- timber forest products (NTFPs) not only play an important role in biodiversity of forest but also in economic development of people, who live nearby forest NTFPs bring a lot of benefit to them such as: food, medicine, income etc In the international conference “The role of non- timber forest products in poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation “was held on 11 and June 13, 2005 in Hanoi, this international conference pointed out that 60 million people around the world live depend on forest, in which are mainly in poor countries such as Latin America, West Africa and Southeast Asia As in 2010 in Vietnam, the forest is home of nearly 25 million people, in which there are about 13 million ethnic minorities, accounting for about 14% of the national population

In Vietnam, there are many researches on the role and current status of NTFPs, these researches was interested scientists since 1997 There were some typical researches that could be noteworthy below:

In 1997, Pham Xuan Hoan was studied the botanical classification of NTFPs at Phia Đen- Nguyen Binh, Cao Bang province follow intended use The author assessing the situation NTFPs exploit plant is best suitable conducted by local people and provide operators assess the situation as well as some suggestions for sustainable development of plant resources NTFPs

According to Hoang Hoe (1998), NTFPs resources in our country very huge, there are many species with high economic value in which the number of medicinal plants accounting for 22% of Vietnam plant species, there are over 500 species of plants for oil (accounting for 7.14% of total species) and there are over 600 species for tannins and lots of other species, lubricants, fatty oils, plants Besides, rattan, bamboo (at present, the total of bamboo area of our country is 1.492 million ha, with about 4.1818 billion trees) bamboo is not only the traditional construction materials but also create incredibly beautiful product, in addition capable of bringing the export of high values

Le Quy Nguu, Tran Nhu Duc (1998) has focused on a description of the technical and processing harvest remedies made from plants including plant NTFPs Besides that, Ninh Khac Ban (2003) initially studied NTFP resources in natural vegetation due to overexploitation as one of the signs inform about the situation we are most threatened He said they should be preserved in-situ and ex-situ conservation plan genetic resources in home gardens or on farms in the direction of sustainable use in order to reduce pressure on wild resources, contributing to conservation Biodiversity

In parallel with these studies, some programs being implemented such as The research project local market for timber products in the north of Thailand by the department of agriculture and rural development in the northern state implementation; The project studied a number of socio-economic issues and the role of the woman for processing of rattan, bamboo forest by scientific institutes Vietnam implemented from 1993 to 1995; Specialty reforestation project (integrated in the program of 5 million hectares)

We can see that the development programs and research in the country have expressed interest in NTFPs plant However, the study of plant NTFPs in Vietnam lacks depth Thus, while there have been many studies, programs and projects carried out in many places, but rather there is nowhere really to promote the role of higher plant NTFPs especially studies about role of non- timber forest products in developing household economy

Ben En NP was established in 1992 by decision of the government, location in Nhu Thanh and Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa Province, Ben En not only famous with many beautiful natural landscapes but also famous with diverse fauna and flora ecosystems, representing lowland ecosystems in North Central Vietnam Ben En NP is the destination of the scientific research, besides, since Ben En NP was established many forest resources and wildlife has been preserved, maintenance and development with the strict management of local government, all activities harmful to forests is prohibited in NP, so the local people to focus on the exploitation of NTFPs as honey, rattan, aromatic and medicinal plants , and other valuable products

NTFPs bring great economic value to local people Especially in reducing poverty, improving livelihood, however, overexploitation of many poor households leading to exhausted NTFPs, this problem seriously impact to the sustainable development of the NP Therefore, in addition to improving the system of mechanisms, policies and investment labor to Ben En NP we also need assessing the great values of NTFPs in household economy development from that propose some method to NTFPs management sustainable Stemming from the above reasons, I decided to do thesis “Assessing the role of non-timber forest products in developing household economic of Tan Binh commune in Ben En National Park”

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal

The goal of this study is to analysis the role of non- timber forest products in household economic development of Tan Binh commune in Ben En NP.

Objectives

- To assess the current status of NTFPs exploitation and using in 6 villages of Tan Binh commune in core zone of Ben En NP

- To analyze the market and demand of NTFPs

- To analyze the economic structure on determining household income from NTFPs

- To determine the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable management of NTFP in the study area

- To propose solutions for protecting and developing NTFPs.

STUDY AREA CHARACTERISTIC

Ben En NP is located in Nhu Thanh and Nhu Xuan districts, 36km from Thanh Hoa City It is firstly established in 1992 with geographical coordinates: from 19029’to 19 041 ' North latitude and from 105 0 20' to 105 0 35' East longitude and the total natural area of Ben

En is 14 735 ha Of which primitive forest covers 8,544 hectares (33 sq mi) There are mounts, hills, streams, rivers in the park area The park features a 3,000 hectares (12 sq mi) lake with 21 islets The diversity of plants and animals at Ben En NP remains high, about 737 plant species, 64 mammal species 194 bird species, 28 amphibian species, 58 fish species and a high diversity of Lepidoptera (Tordoff et al 2000) The geology of the NP is characterized by sedimentary rocks, mudstone, limestone and alluvial soil About 18.000 live in the buffer and core zones of the NP and continue to exert an influence on the natural environment people the majority of the people living in the NP belong to the Kinh, Thai, Muong, and Tay ethnic groups, although there are also a small number of Tho people Extraction of NTFP and illegal logging by both local people and people from outside NP is common

Tan Binh commune, which is located 30km from center of Ben En NP to the East, has the area about 38,61km2 Climate in Tan Binh is featured of tropical monsoon climate The average hours of sunshine is from 1700 - 1900 hours / year with total heat Q = 8.5000C.The annual average temperature is 23 – 24oC, hottest temperature is 38- 39oC in June, August The coldest temperature is 5oC – 9oC in January, February Humidity ranges from 82-94%.In addition, Tan Binh is also directly influenced by 2-3 storms with winds and heavy rainfall affecting agricultural production and people's daily life Population in Tan Binh (1999) is

2368 people with 568 households People are mainly employed in Agriculture and Forest People mainly harvest agriculture and go to forest with handmade tools Forest resources in Tan Binh existed more than 100 years ago However, in the 1980s, forest really attracted interest from Organizations and Government The people in Tan Binh live depend a lot on forest, almost income of 6 villages of Tan Binh commune

Figure 3.1 Map of Ben En NP

(Source: Hoang Van Sam- human and environmental influences on plant diversity and composition in Ben En NP)

METHODOLOGY

PRA method

This method would apply to households who live in core zone of Ben En NP The number of household interviewed is 3 in which of 10 households in rich economic group, 10 household in average economic group and 10 household in poor group Using prepared questionnaire to ask them The results after collecting will fill tables following:

Vietnamese name Use value Plant parts use

Market demand High medium Low

Vietnamese name Scale Area (ha) Time

This method will apply to object are households who are exploiting NTFPs in the NP

So the numbers of people who take part in discussion will divide into different groups, each group from 5 to 7 people, the total group in survey is 4 groups these group will discussion other topics include:

- The purpose of exploit, level of exploit, the number of exploit / year, after mining technology

- The objects of exploit, the method of exploit, and the frequency of exploit

This method is used to determine the priorities and needs assessment of NTFP tree development through multi-criteria vote in the discussion group The preliminary criteria selected include: Easy to exploit, easily consumed, nothing high economic value, ease of storage, available in nature.

S.W.O.T method

S.W.O.T is an acronym of the letters S - Strengths, W - Weakness, O - Opportunities and T – Threats In this part, use analysis tool S.W.O.T that used to assess status of object through strengths, weakness, opportunity and threat then propose some solutions to reduce weakness and develop by opportunity

The performance would follow these steps below:

-Step 1: Learn reality through the study of relevant documents, interview to assess the realistic situation

-Step 2: in this step I will chose 4 groups, each group include 5 to 7 people belong to objects: management, perception of local people, participation of local people and the affect to environment from community

-Step 7: Use this table to analyze

Strengths Weakness Opportunities Use strengths to take opportunity

Overcome weakness that stopping us to opportunity Threats Use strengths to reduce threat Overcome weakness that can be threat

Data analysis method

All of information after collected, use Microsoft-Excel software for data analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The status of NTFPs resources in 6 villages located in core zone in Ben En NP

5.1.1 Classification based on use value of NTFPs

According to the data collected from field, this study has listed a total of 127 non- timber species which local people exploit and use for differen purposes that shown in table 5.1 following:

Table 5.1 List of NTFPs groups exploited and used in 6 villages of study area

No Group of use purpose

31.5 Fallopia multiflora, Leea rubra Blume, Xanthium strumarium, etc

2 Foods 35 27.6 Melientha suavis, Garcinia cowa, etc

15.7 Rhododendron, Cymbidium hybrid, Anoectochilus setaceus, etc

Amomum xanthioides, Pogostemon cablin, etc

As can be seen in Table 5.1, medicinal plants group is the highest percentage accounted for 31.5% (40 species) including some rare species such as Fallopia multiflora, Leea rubra Blume, Xanthium strumarium This group is one of the main income source for local households For mountainous area, particularly fragmented and isolated areas, transportation is difficult, traditional medicine plays an integral part for local communities’ health However, this remedy is simple and mainly served in place The development of these remedy become products and services providing for large market demand, create jobs contributing economic development in the locality is very good

Plants provide foods have 35 species accounting for 27.6% This group is very important in common life and contributes to the income of local households, in which the popular species such as Melientha suavis and bamboo shoots are easy to harvest and consume However outdated mining habits, exploitation without conservation in a long time lead to the depletion of these resource In general food plants are very diversity and richness, widely distributed, and it is one of market potential sources If people is rational exploitation, these plants has ability to be very resilient, stable yields, and less affected by the disaster factors

Ornamental plants group with 20 species accounted for 15.7% Interviewed people said that these plats have high market potential with high economy value Not only modern life is constantly improved but also the pressure of industrial life caused to spiritual life of residents, especially in big cities and crowded areas, the demand of ornamental plants are increased significantly NTFPs have many kind of products with beautiful and fragrant flowers, diverse shapes, great shapes are preferred Many people looking for the beautiful shape as Barringtonia acutangula or Wrightia religiosa This would be a good direction for the policy to diversify the crops of farmers

NTFPs group provides fiber and handicrafts accounted for 11.8% with 15 species This group is exploited and served the human needs is increasingly diverse They are used for fencing, wicker handmade to maintain life of local people in study area as well as contributes significantly in generating jobs and income for households

Additionally, other groups provide tannin, dye and oil accounted for 3.9% and 9.5% These products are used in a variety of products, like cosmetic manufacturing industry, medicine, spices instead of animal oil are good for human health

In conclusion, NTFPs group is very diverse and richness Medicinal group accounted for the highest proportion of species providing NTFPs in the core area of NP The next are food and ornamental plants, this indicates that the potential of NTFP species of study area is enormous

5.1.2 NTFPs exploitation and use in study area

According to data collected from interviewing 30 households, the stury has listed 25 species that interviewee usually exploit and use for different purposes such as medicine, food The detail results are represented in table 5.2 and appendix 1

Table 5.2 NTFPs exploitation and use status in 6 villages of study area

The availability of 30 non-timber species is devided into 3 groups as High, Medium and Low The result is shown in figure 5.1

Figure 5.1 The availability of NTFPs species in 6 villages of Tan Binh commune

As can be seen in the pie chart 5.1, the amount of NTFPs species is not numerous The available levels mostly are Low (37%) and Medium (50%) The NTFPs species with high availability just occupy 13%

Due to difference in use purpose and NTFPs value, the level of exploitation of different species are not the same Thence, this study divide the exploitation frequency into 3 groups: High, Medium and Low frequency and show it in figure 5.2

Figure 5.2 The exploitation and use frequency of NTFPs species in 6 villages of Tan

As a result, it is very to see that the local people exploit NTFPs species with high frequency (53%) and medium (37%) mostly This could be the reason for the decline of NTFPs species in Tan Binh commune recently

The part of use taken from 30 NTFPs species are devided into 8 groups of Fruit; Seed; Leave; Stem and banches; Flower; Bark; Root and tuber; Whole plant that is shown in figure 5.3

Figure 5.3 The part of use taken from NTFPs species in 6 villages of Tan Binh commune

According to the pie chart, the root and tuber (24%) and fruit (18%) are mostly exploited from NTFPs species for use Flower is part of species that is taken at least (3%) A part of NTFPs species are exploited by whole plant but the exploiter just use some part like seed or plower So, this lead to waste of sources.

NTFPs market in study area

There are 30 households in 6 villages in Tan Binh commune at core zone of Ben En

NP was interviewed The result indicated that the NTFPs Consumer market focuses mainly on medicinal plants, ornamental plants and plants for foods In specific:

Seed (%) Leave (%) Stem, branches (%) Flower (%)

Bark (%)Root, tuber (%)Whole plant (%)

According to the results of field survey, medicinal plant market of 6 villages can be described as flow chart below:

Figure 5.4 Map of medicinal plant market

Medicinal plants market occurred in 3 main channels:

 Channel 1: medicinal plants are collected from forest, after that these plants are sold for consumers This is main consumption channel of medicinal herbs Major buyers are local people in commune (traditional medicinal households) or directly sale for tourist in Ben Sung market This channel is simple, less intermediaries and price is less influenced by fees such as transportation, storage, costs for intermediaries

 Channel 2: medicinal plants are usually fresh, raw materials or semi-processed which are directly transported by middleman to other provinces such as Ha Noi, Lang Son, Hung Yen This channel has other stakeholder who is middleman This is focal point to gather medicinal species for delivering to other provinces or even exporting Price in this channel is low due to transportation costs, cost for middleman

 Channel 3: Raw materials after harvesting was sold for middleman Then, these products are sold for large purchasing agent in the region In this channel, consumers need to spend a lot of money to buy these products These prices of NTFPs are higher than the price that traders bought form local households many times because of transportation cost, and cost for middleman

Figure 5.5 Map of Ornamental plant market

The popular ornamental plants which are cultivated and traded in study area are orchids, camellia or rhododendron According to the interviews in study area, the supplies ornamental plants never satisfy the needs of customers Overall, ornamental plants market in commune is simple, so the products price is less influenced by intermediary costs such as transportation, costs for intermediaries

The vegetables and fruits which are valued, consumed and high consumed, includes

Melientha suavis, bamboo shoots, Dracontomelon duperreanum and Canarium album These are consumed follow the flow chart:

Figure 5.6 Map of Plant for foods market

The flow chart above illustrates that NTFPs will be sold directly to consumers or through an intermediary only Consumers mainly are local residents to meet basic human needs The advantages of this market are product cost less influenced by transportation cost or storage cost However, the drawbacks is the unstable price, it fluctuate with demand

Overall, the NTFPs consumption market in study area is diverse and potential for local people to continue to cultivate and develop focus on NTFP species which is high value and strength of the region

According to interviews with 30 households in the study area, the market demand for NTFPs are re varied and richness, particularly in harvest season The products after harvesting are gathered in a place, and then traders will collect and deliver it to the small production facility in the region After processing, these products will be transfer to other province for consumption The Market consumption and price of some NTFP species are presented in table 5.3 below:

Table 5.3 Market consumption and price of some non-timber species in 6 villages in study site

No Specific name Vietnamese name

Consumption place Price (VND) Market demand

1 Fallopia multiflora Hà thủ ô đỏ Internal and external province 100.000/kg x

Măng tre bát độ Local markets 10.000/kg x

3 Piper lolot Lá lốt Local markets 3.000/kg x

4 Dracontomelon duperreanum Sấu Local markets 20.000/kg x

5 Cymbidium hybrid Địa lan Internal and external province 250.000/ tree x

6 Rhododendron Đỗ quyên hoa trắng

Internal and external province 300.000/tree x

7 Zingiber officinale Gừng Local markets 30.000/kg x

Internal and external province 50.000/kg x

Chè vằng Local markets 80.000/kg x

10 Schizostachyum aciculare Nứa Local markets 7.000/tree x

11 Camellia sinensis Chè rừng Local markets 50.000/kg x

12 Morinda officinalis Ba kích Internal and external province 310.000/kg x

Survey results from Table 5.3 show that the NTFPs market is mainly in internal and external province The demand of NTFPs for people very much, they mainly use valuable NTFPs such as Syzygium aromaticum, Morinda officinalis and Fallopia multiflora, the price of NTFPs from 100.000 to 300.000VND/kg The role of NTFPs is very diverse including foods, materials, traditional medicine and commodities harvested from nature NTFPs associated with livelihoods of local community in core area of NPs, and it satisfies the cash needs of people

5.2.3 Assessment of NTFPs market potential

It is essential to analyze, evaluate the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of NTFPs market This will provide the basis for selection of market information system which is suitable with local people and ensure sustainability in the management of NTFPs sector Based on the results of NTFPs market potential evaluation, the author found out some basis points that are shown in table 5.4

Table 5.4 S.W.O.T analysis of market demand of NTFPs in Tan Binh commune

- Available in all seasons ( Create jobs)

- NTFPs are used for many different purposes

- Over exploitation leads to shortage

- Lack of sources of some valuable species such as medicinal plant

- No conservation planning for NTFPs

- Low education and little knowledge of the market

- Government are investigating in NTFPs management

- Many projects supported NTFP market development for local people

- Development in research and development of NTFPs sector

- No management mechanism for NTFPs

- Other provinces are also involved exploitation and sale of products (difficult in community management)

- Instability and lack of investment

5.3 The economic strcuture on determining household income from NTFPs

Based on interviewing 30 households, NTFPs are not only use for daily needs but also plays an important role for the economy of households We can conclude that the income from NTFPs plays an integral part for indigenous community The result of the investigation shows that almost 100% agricultural households as exploited NTFP species The income from exploiting and trading NTFPs accounted for relatively large proportion in total income of household The proportion of income from NTFPs for 30 households is 24% (The detail result is shown in appendix 2) Results also showed that the income from NTFPs is not the key, but it is one of the most important inputs for increasing household income By divided households into 3 groups: rich, near-poor and poor, the author found that although NTFPs play an important role in the income, the level of importance of the product will have the various characteristics for each group This is expressed in contributing to the cash income for households or serves the needs of daily foods and materials for production In which, medicinal plants, food plants is most evident for contributing households income; other vegetables or bamboo shoots are food is used quite frequently in the meal of the households

Poor households group mainly depends on forest, especially NTFPs, it contribute greatly in the total annual income of households The household with the highest income from NTFPs accounted for 33%, the lowest one is 15%, and the average rate is 28% of total household income This demonstrates that poverty forced them to exploit all natural resources as much as possible The statistic of income proportion in poor household group will be described in figure 5.7

Figure 5.7 The income proportion of poor household group

In near-poor households group, this percentage is higher, the average proportion is 27% of total income, in which: households with the highest incomes from NTFP is 40%, the lowest one is 14% This proves that NTFPs exploitation in the near-poor households also plays an important role in household income (Figure 5.8)

Figure 5.8: The income proportion of near-poor households group

For rich households group, NTFPs contributes 17 % (Figure 5.9) of the total household income Beside exploited NTFPs, they earn extra income from livestock, trade

NTFPsOthers family as well as reduces the pressure of humane on natural resources and creates sustainable development for NTFPs and forest ecosystems

Figure 5.9 The income proportion of rich households group

Thus the income of households from NTFP extraction for poor households group, near-poor households group and rich households groups are 28%, 27% and 17 % respectively

We can see that all the households in both poor and rich group have the income from the exploitation and trade of NTFPs The poor households is the group that depend on NTFPs in the most (28%) However it is a source of cash income to households, without these incomes almost activities such as education, medical treatment, trade, and so on are hard to implement, so extraction and trading of NTFPs is a form of increasing income for local community

5.4 NTFPs cultivation in 6 villages of Tan Binh commune in core zone of Ben En NP

The survey results show that components NTFP species cultivated in 6 villages are diverse There are 20 different species were cultivation, especially local people and the NP management focus on Jasminum subtriplinerve and Syzygium aromaticum

Table 5.5 Statistics on the cultivation of NTFPs species in 6 villages in the study area

No Specific name Vietnamese name Scale Area (ha) Time

1 Jasminum subtriplinerve Blume Chè vằng Household 1 2013 - 2014

2 Syzygium aromaticum Đinh hương Household 2 2013 - 2015

3 Cupressus tonkinensis Hoàng đằng Household 5 2014 - 2015

4 Cinnamomum balansae Vù hương Household 0.5 2014 - 2016

5 Madhuca pasquieri Sến mật Household 3 2011 - 2014

6 Cymbidium hybrid Địa lan Household 0.5 2015-2016

7 Datura metel L Cà độc dược Household 1 2014-2015

8 Fallopia multiflora Hà thủ ô đỏ Household 1 2013-2014

9 Chaenmoeles lagenaria Hải đường Household 0.5 2014-2015

10 Rhododendron Đỗ quyên hoa trắng Household 1 2015-2016

11 Homalomena amoraticae Thiên niên kiện Household 1 2012-2013

12 Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro Măng tre bát độ Household 3 2012-2013

14 Morinda officinalis Ba kích Household 2 2014-2015

15 Stephania rotunda Bình vôi Household 2 2013-2014

16 Xanthium strumarium Ké đầu ngựa Household 2 2014-2016

17 Ardisia silvestris Lá khôi Household 0.5 2012-2013

According to survey results from Table 5.5, total NTFPs cultivation area is 39 ha, there is a great diversity of species Households mainly plant high value species which is contributing to the household income Even though focusing con medicinal plants and food plants, the area for each species is limited According to field survey, households spend their own money to cultivate and develop NTFPs Therefore cultivation scale is small, and do not have plan for concentration and sustainable development

5.6 S.W.O.T analysis in the sustainable management of NTFPs in Ben En NP

S.W.O.T analysis in the sustainable management of NTFPs in Ben En NP and assessment

Through research from sources, combined with the fact-finding in the study area, we have synthesized a number of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges in the sustainable management of NTFP in Ben En NP, results in details are presented in the following table:

Table 5.6 The strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats in the sustainable management of NTFPs in Ben En NP

Aspect Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

There has been evident progress in perception in years recently

Still many locals have low education levels, partly causing difficulties in receiving knowledge from the propaganda authorities

Being concerned to pay special attention, advocacy and education by authorities

Need to find a reasonable method to be able to convey to the people generously and quality

People have become more aware to learn, access information related to protect NTFPs themselves

The propaganda of law as well as the responsibilities and obligations to protect natural resources and NTFPs have not

Economy grows in Ben En, this also means that people have more opportunities to interact with the should be a combination of propaganda with school education for future generations that be students in education for students media thereby enhancing self- awareness People are women, farmers and low- income people who are relatively poor awareness of environmental issues and sustainable management NTFPs Management of staff

The rangers, the manager of Ben En, social workers were interviewed who experienced, dedicated to the protect NTFPs

No incorporate as well with community in discovering and denouncing violations

Affirming the role and capacity of natural resource and NTFPs management

Problem of controlling exploitation, illegal trade NTFPs is still difficult due to lack of human resources

People are center point of the criteria, forms and activities of sustainable management

The number of forest rangers may not be enough to cover all the vast forests in Ben En

Some people are weak perception, so there is no attitude to collaborate with managers in management Harmony between conservation and development of natural resources (NTFPs) associated with the development of local livelihoods

No standard model for the management contract between foundation being authorities and support being community Community The establishment No combination The policy Need to be closely protection groups and NTFPs such as the program “15 minutes for protect natural resources”, Forest protection clubs in villages and communes related authorities as Ben En NP, town and community groups involved in protection reservation to get revenues for protect NTFPs

Priority is for opportunity for human can make money from ecotourism responsibility of locals involved in conservation between them and the authorities through village conventions

Households have been contracted to forest areas so that they may act with greater responsibility to protect

Money to farmers for “forest protection” still being low

The locals has been conscious of the role and responsibility of their participation in the protect NTFPs Impact of community to management

A large proportion of people are engaged in illegal woody exploitation, non-timber forest products and illegal hunting of wildlife

Creating alternative livelihoods for local people, avoiding them dependent on the exploitation of forest resources

No reasonable and deterrent sanctions for violations

Lack of funds for relocation of people from the area near the forest, the area bordering protected areas

From the results, the study recommends several solutions for NTFPs sustainable management market

- Supporting farmer to sell NTFPs without disadvantages need to do tasks below: + Building trade cooperatives to improve the importance of producers

+ Provide farmers about market information as well as chances and limit, pre- announce them about the fluctuation of price and support them to diversify their products and avoid risk

+ Encourage farmer to exploit NTFP and sell them to processing facilities through third parties

- Researching plays an important role to find the way to help farmer own stable income from investing for forest Almost creative about protective forest and NTFPs focus on

4 issues: (1) Maintain and develop necessary forest product, especially NTFPs for essential needs (2) Reduce negative effect of forest with food safety (3) Improvement manufactures NTFPs (4) to raise income for household from forest and NTFPs Besides, farmers need to understand more about how to use and manage the forest, especially their needs with forest and food safety

- Nowadays, current forestry technical standard about build riverhead protective forest, both in technical side ( QPN-13-91) and manageable organization protective forest( QD no 08/2001/QD-TTg in 11/01/2001 of the prime minister), just stop in general rules and lead focusing on solution to developing forest aim to forest products without paying attention to develop NTFPs So that, to develop NTFPs those documents have to be fixed and processed, procedures, forestry process tend to main issues: Enforcing procedures, technical processes for solutions developing NTFPs in protective forest area, include: promoting reprocessing natural self forest with NTFPs, develop NTFPs in mix agriculture and forestry system.

Solution

- The study counted 127 species of NTFPs already in nature of 6 hamlets in Tan Binh commune in the center of Ben En NP Exploitation and using are complicated and frequent, exploitation depend on the use of each NTFPs and separate in main groups: medicine plants, fiber plants, plant for food, ornamental species, plant for tannin, dye, plant for oil

- The markets of NTFPs follow 3 main channels:

Channel 1: people explore from forest then sell directly for customers, and the price is not high because they do not need intermediate cost

Channel 2: medicine plants stay in rudimentary materials and middleman buy and deliver to other place to sell So that, the price is lower because of intermediate cost

Channel 3: rudimentary materials are collected by middleman in home and sell to big agents That means customers have to buy products with high price

- NTFPs play important role in developing household economys of Tan Binh commune The profits that are collected from NTFPs very high, contribute to main income of all households in research area The share of income from NTFPs was 24% The poor households depend much on forest, especially NTFPs, it contributes to main income in year The highest income of NTFPs give households taking 33%, the lowest is 15% and the average is 28% in total income; With near-poor households group, the rate is 27% of total income of households; In rich households group, it contributes 17% for average

- This study has proposed some solutions for protecting and developing NTFPs sources sustainability

Through research process and field investigation, thesis did with much effort, however

CONCLUSION, SHORTCOMINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusion

- The study counted 127 species of NTFPs already in nature of 6 hamlets in Tan Binh commune in the center of Ben En NP Exploitation and using are complicated and frequent, exploitation depend on the use of each NTFPs and separate in main groups: medicine plants, fiber plants, plant for food, ornamental species, plant for tannin, dye, plant for oil

- The markets of NTFPs follow 3 main channels:

Channel 1: people explore from forest then sell directly for customers, and the price is not high because they do not need intermediate cost

Channel 2: medicine plants stay in rudimentary materials and middleman buy and deliver to other place to sell So that, the price is lower because of intermediate cost

Channel 3: rudimentary materials are collected by middleman in home and sell to big agents That means customers have to buy products with high price

- NTFPs play important role in developing household economys of Tan Binh commune The profits that are collected from NTFPs very high, contribute to main income of all households in research area The share of income from NTFPs was 24% The poor households depend much on forest, especially NTFPs, it contributes to main income in year The highest income of NTFPs give households taking 33%, the lowest is 15% and the average is 28% in total income; With near-poor households group, the rate is 27% of total income of households; In rich households group, it contributes 17% for average

- This study has proposed some solutions for protecting and developing NTFPs sources sustainability

Through research process and field investigation, thesis did with much effort, however

The results are affected by surrounding factors: storming, rain, temperature,… and terrain conditions: over slope, obstacles terrain,… lead to difficulties in moving to collect documents

The limited time of research process lead to many problems did not discover

As shortcomings and difficulties above, the thesis gives some recommendations:

- The next researches should have more time for performance

- Staffs in research area should support information for researcher, avoid disturbing them

1 Phạm Van Dien và cộng sự (2009) “phát triển cây lâm sản ngoài gỗ” NXB Nông nghiệp,

2 Nguyen Quang Hung (2008).” Nghiên cứu đánh giá thực trạng gây trồng một số loài cây lâm sản ngoài gỗ chủ yếu ở vùng núi phía bắc làm cơ sở đề xuất một số giải pháp phát triển bền vững”, luận văn thạc sỹ lâm nghiệp, ĐHLN

3 Vụ khoa học công nghệ và chất lượng sản phẩm (2000) Tên cây rừng việt nam Nhà xuất bản nông nghiệp

4 Tordoff, A., E Fanning & M Grindley (eds.) 2000 Ben En NP Society for Environmental Exploitation, London

5 Hoang Van Sam (2008) “HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON PLANT DIVERSITY AND COMPOSITION IN BEN EN NP, VIETNAM”

Appendix 1 List of NTFPs species that 30 household usually exploit and use

Vietnamese name Scientific name Location Plant parts exploitation

Exploitation and use frequency Availability High Medium Low High Medium Low

3 Lá lốt Piper lolot Forest edges Leaves x x

4 Cây chay Artocarpus tonkinensis Forest Fruits x x

8 Cà độc dược Datura metel L Forest Leaves x x

9 Địa lan Cymbidium hybrid Forest Whole plant x x

Cupressus tonkinensis Forest Stem, roots x x

11 Hà thủ ô đỏ Fallopia multiflora Forest Tubers x x

12 Hải đường Chaenmoeles lagenaria Forest Whole plant x x

13 Đỗ quyên hoa trắng Rhododendron Forest Whole plant x x

Homalomena amoraticae Forest Stem, roots x x

15 Lá khôi Ardisia silvestris Forest Leaves x x

18 Tre gai Bambusa bambos Forest Stem x x

24 Bình vôi Stephania rotunda Forest Stem x x

25 Ba kích Morinda officinalis Forest Tubers x x

26 Chò nhựa Dipterocarpus retusus Forest Bark x x

30 Trẩu aleurites montana (lour.) Wils

Appendix 2 The proportion of income of 30 household interviewed

No Name Income proportion from different sources (%) Farming, livestock

Appendix 3 Criteria of households classification

Classification criteria Rich household Near-poor household Poor household House Highrise building permanent houses Cottage

Income/ household >5 million/ month 2 – 5 million/ month < 2 million/ month

Appendix 4 List of officers interviewed

1 Le Dinh Phuong Vice director of Ben En NP

2 Bui Van Sy Head of department of Ben En international scientific cooperation

3 Le Van Thai Legal department NP

4 Luong Van Tap Head station of Xuan Ly forest station

6 Nguyen Van Thang Local president of Tan Binh Commune

7 Vuong Van Tap Head of Rooc Nai village

“Assessing the role of non- timber forest products in developing household economy of

Tan Binh commune in core zone of Ben En NP”

Information about responded and collect the information of NTFPs

Sex: Male/ Female age: religion:

2 Whether they are literate or not:

3 What are your sources of money? a Labor/ working b Business c Agriculture d Services e Medicinal plants collection and trade f Others

4 What forest products do you collect/ use: a Jelutong (pantone) Y N b Rattan Y N c Gemur Y N d Honey Y N e Parrots Y N f Fish Y N g Fruit Y N h Pigs Y N i Other animals, if so what Y N j Medicinal species Y N k Timber (not for trade) Y N l Other

5 Who is it collected for: a Own use b Individual sale c Sale to business d Other

6 Is it then sold a Locally b In Java c Internationally d Other e Don’t know

7 How much do you sell if for (per kilo?)… a At present b Last year c 1996 ( pre crash)

8 What was the best price worst price a So far this year ………… ………… b 2001 ………… ………… c Since starting ………… …………

9 On a scale of 1 to 10 how do you feel the demand has changed since 1997 ( 5 = stayed the same, 1 declined, 10 improved)

10 How many days a year do you spend harvesting the product a 1-2 weeks b 3-4 weeks c 1-3 months d 6- 9 months e Other time

11 Which months is this in

12 How does the west season affect the activity?

13 What % does this activity contribute to your annual income?

14 Is it your only job Y N

15 What other job do you have?

1 Do you collect NTFPs from forest? Yes or No

2 Can you give me the name of product besides timber, fuel wood and fodder?

3 Which is forest you are traditionally using fulfill the basic products?

4 If you collect NFTPs, give the information to me:

Species Part used Uses Amount / season

5 Do you have NTFPs on your land?

7 How harvesting and collection of NFTPs are carried out?

8 Are their sufficient NTFPs in the forest? Give Yes or No

9 Why do you collect NTFPs? a Personal use/ household level consumption b Sale purpose c Others

10 Are there any indigenous management system for NTFPs harvesting and collection Wheather it is Yes or No

11 If yes, what are those management systems?

12 Do you collect NTFPs from Ben En NP if yes what amount

13 All user collect NTFPs in individual basic?

14 If yes, why? a Livelihood problem b Illiterate c conflict

16 Where did you learn the trade a Family (which member) b Friends c Employer d Other

17 On average what quantity do you extract per week

18 What was the total quantity taken a In 2001 b When you started

19 How many years have you done this activity

20 Over this time has the annual yield a Declined b Stayed the same c Increased

21 Why do you think this ( market, harder to find, other)

22 Please describe how you harvest the product

23 How many people do you work with

24 Are you aware of other collectors in the area: Y N

25 Is the Ben En NP the only area you collect in?

26 Do you know important this area is compared to other areas?

27 How do you remove the product from forest a Walk b On the cow c Car d Other

28 How much do you spend to extract the product on a Transport b Equipment c Other

29 Do you feel that this product will be available in another 10 years at present yield: Yes No why?

30 What species do you collect

31 Please rank these in order of quantity taken a At present b 2001 c 1996 d Other

32 Please rank these in order of scale price a At present b 2001 c 1996 d Other

33 Since starting has total annual yield a Increase b Decrease c Stayed the same

34 Why do you think this is ………

35 Has there been a decrease in individual fish size within different species since starting

36 What is part of plant you taken to use: a Root b Branches c Leaf d Other

37 What is purpose when you collect them?

38 What is it use value? a Medicine b Food c Other

39 How do you decide which species to hunt? a Opportunistic b To order c Other

40 Which species have you collected since last July/ August?

41 How has the quantity of each mammal changed over this time?

42 What is it used for? a Meat b Own use c Medicine d Other

Interviewing with district forest staffs

1 Please, tell me the price of NTFPs

2 Do the local people collect in individual basis? If no, why? If yes, what are the prices of NTFPs?

3 Above price are satisfactory? Yes / No

4 If no, how much price do you expect?

5 Do you have storage facilities? Yes/ No

6 Where and when sell the NTFPs?

7 Tell me, sufficient store or not?

8 How much NTFP do you sell?

9 To whom do you sell? a Village traders b Road head traders c Local processing unit

10 What is the mode of selling of NTFPs? a Auction b Direct sell c Others

11 What type of strategy are you adopting to promote the sale of NTFPs?

12 In your think, how can you improve the Marketing of NTFP at local level?

13 Please tell me the strategy adopting to promote the sale of NTFPs a Personal contact b Advertisement c Commission to middlemen d Notice of bidding

14 Is there any institution that you have made agreement?

15 If yes, tell me the institution

16 Are there any conflict regarding marketing?

17 Do you suggest anything to solve the problems?

Recommendations 29 REFERENCES