The socio-economic potentials and values of our NWFPs stems from a variety of sources some of which are difficult to attach economic value to as they provide both the services and goods which cannot be marketed (they are economic externalities). There is therefore a need to develop standard criteria for valuing benefits from the NWFP in order to finalize indicators which can then be used as a basis for future NWFP evaluation.
However, in The Gambian context, medicinal plants are more important than any other NWFP. This is so, because in The Gambia hunger plays a minor role compared to the health of the population, especially in rural areas. One does not have to think that to define this as the peak of the hunger season (July - Sept.) is the same for illness (mainly malaria). Whereas the rural population has developed strategies against hunger, they are finding it extremely difficult to cope with the malaria infestation which is claiming quite a number of lives every year.
Just as important as food plants is honey production. Rural people are not engaged in honey production for profit maximization but for risk minimization for survival.
The importance of bush-meat is declining with the decline of the species as a result of habitat destruction. Insects are not used for food in The Gambia.
