This regional study presents an overview of the socio-economic importance and ecological impact of the use of non-wood forest products (NWFP) in Africa. The document consists of two main parts: i) presentation of background information on the programme activities and analysis of the available information on the regional and sub-regional level (both in English and in French); and ii) presentation of data on NWFP on the national level (so-called "country profiles", available in either English or French).
The country profiles were originally compiled to be made available on the FAO homepage. However, taking into consideration the limited access to the Internet in various countries, it has been decided to publish, in addition, a hardcopy version of the country profiles and to add a regional and sub-regional analysis of the data.
Most of the data presented in this report are indicative figures, which have been collected in published and unpublished reports, and therefore do not represent official statistics. The results presented show that qualitative and quantitative information on NWFP on the national level is still weak. It is hoped that this report will support the on-going process of data improvement on NWFP. Improved data is considered to be essential to ensure that the use and importance of NWFP is adequately taken into consideration by decision-makers, land-use planners, politicians, or other concerned experts. Additional information and comments from readers to improve data on NWFP in African countries would be very much appreciated. The authors of the country briefs will be duly acknowledged in the Internet version. Information and comments can be sent to:
Non-Wood Forest Products Programme
Forest Products
Division, Forestry Department, FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100
Rome, Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel:
+39-06-570-52746 or -53853; Fax: + 39-0657055618
Internet: http://www.fao.org/forestry/FOP/FOPW/NWFP/nwfp-e.stm
During the last two years, various colleagues have been involved in the compilation and finalisation of the NWFP country profiles. At FAO Headquarters, Jamal Bahdon, Alexia Baldascini, Jean-Louis Blanchez, Celine Curi, Tina Etherington, Helena Kästel, Johan Lejeune, Sabrina Lozzi, Liana Micotti, Michèlle Millanes, Laura Russo, Patrick So and Paul Vantomme contributed to the collection, analysis and editing of the information presented.
In addition, this report includes data provided by Lamin Bojang (Gambia), Michel Bonannee (Central African Republic), Tembo F. Chanyenga (Malawi), Girma Deffar (Ethiopia), D. Djiramba (Guinea), Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini (Swaziland), Mahamat A. Haggar (Chad), Joseph Hailwa (Namibia), G. Hamisou (Niger), Abdourahaman Ben Houssen (Comores), K. K. Keapoletswe (Botswana), Marie Mbolo (Cameroon), Petro N. Mangue (Mozambique), John Mulombwa (Zambia), Anastase Murekezi (Rwanda), Salvator Ndabirorere (Burundi), N. Oreste (Mozambique), G. J. Osemeobo (Nigeria), Elias S. Sekaleli (Lesotho), Gloria Ujor (Nigeria) and Afonso Zola (Angola).
Their efforts are appreciated. Furthermore, we would like to thank the European Commission for the financial support given for this work through the Tropical Forestry Budget Line B7-6201/97 and B7-6201/98-08/VIII/FOR.
It is hoped that readers will find this publication useful and that it will be a start to continuously update the information on NWFP.