Market Systems of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and their Roles in Climate Change Adaptation- A Case Study of the Lawra Distrivt, Ghana

ABSTRACT

Local and indigenous communities depend on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in a variety of ways. However, the absence of ready markets for these products limits their livelihood support potential and capacity to support environmental and climate change adaptation efforts. This study examined how the five livelihood capitals i.e. Financial, Social, Physical, Natural and Human (including market access, value chain and product quality standards) affect marketing systems for NTFPs and influence climate change adaptation in the Lawra District, Upper West Region of Ghana.  Employing a mixed methods approach, this study focused on the following objectives: (i) Identify barriers and or enablers that affect market systems of NTFPs in the Lawra District using correlation and chi square test; (ii) Assess the influence of market access for NTFPs on climate change adaptation; (iii) Conduct a profitability analysis across the value chain for one economically important NTFPs; and (iv) Evaluate quality standards of selected economically important NTFPs for international export. Using correlation and chi-square tests, the relationship between the five livelihood capitals and volumes of NTFP harvested in 2017 were carried out. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess market access (Availability of Transportation) and volume of NTFPs, profitability analysis to assess profitability across a selected NTFP (Shea butter), pesticide and quality analysis for a selected NTFP were also carried out. Results indicated that various livelihood capitals and volumes of NTFP collected show a positive and negative correlation for natural and financial capital, respectively, but with no significance for the remaining livelihood capitals. There was, however, a positive linkage for market access and the volumes of NTFP collected. The profitability analysis of the shea product across its value chain indicated a significant decrease in profits up the value chain from harvesting to processing.  Shea butter samples from a household in the Lawra District fell below quality standards for export as chlorpyrifos pesticide residue were above acceptable levels while a sample produced from a women’s groups passed all quality standards. Despite overall benefits of actions that improve living standards, the quality control measures employed in processing Shea butter in households and profits across the shea value chain do not enhance market systems, hence do not also complement climate change adaptation efforts. The study, however, recommends that improvement in market access would significantly improve market systems and would complement climate change adaptation efforts since it would increase the appreciation for indigenous products in in relation to their market value.