MAIN ACTIVITIES Edible forest insects | | For approximately 2.5 billion people, mainly in Africa, Asia and Latin America, eating insects is part of their common diets, in a similar way as eating meat or fish. FAO’s Forestry Department is taking steps in drawing attention to this valuable food source, such as mapping worldwide activities in this field, proposing a communication strategy (publication and congress), and by outlining the opportunities of insects as a viable source of protein. In the developing world, a re-evaluation of the food resource is required, while in the western world processing technology needs to be developed in order to make it an acceptable food item. More>>> |
Project 'Enhancing Food Security through Non-wood Forest Products in Central Africa'. | | The utilization and commercialization of non-wood forest products (NWFP) fosters food security in Central Africa. Important NWFP include edible plants, medicinal plants and rattan. The valorisation of NWFP offers an opportunity for rural populations and other stakeholders to increase their incomes based on the sustainable management of forest resources. FAO has been requested to support Central African countries to identify and implement policy measures in order to promote the sustainable management of NWFP and to equally share the benefits from their exploitation and utilization. More>>> |
| Information dissemination | | One of the major activities of the programme is information dissemination. We produce a biannual newsletter - Non-Wood News - and a monthly electronic e-letter - the NWFP-Digest. In addition, we respond to requests from the public for information on a great variety of topics related to NWFP. |
Development of NWFP inventory guidelines for African ACP countries | | The purpose of this activity is to contribute to sustainable forest management in African ACP countries by developing and testing practical guidelines for the assessment of forest resources providing NWFP. Such guidelines will enable national forestry administrations to implement improved and regular monitoring of the NWFP resource base and develop sustainable harvesting regimes in partnership with local and indigenous communities. |
Analysis and evaluation of the socio-economic contribution of selected NWFP to rural people | | Case studies will be carried on Gnetum africaanum, caterpillars and bushmeat, in order to document the contribution of NWFP to food security and poverty allevation | |
Rattan measurements | Based on the recommendations of the "Expert consultation on Rattan development" (see above), a publication on the harmonization of existing measurement concepts and methodologies for rattan resources inventories and for accurate collection of statistics on rattan products is being developed. | RECENT ACTIVITIES
| | |
last updated: Thursday, September 23, 2010
