Food insecurity and poverty are the greatest global challenges facing the world today. Their redress is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development in developing countries, particularly in Africa. Poverty continues to be pervasive, intractable and inexcusable in the developing world particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. Extreme poverty ravages the lives of one in every four in the developing world (i.e. 1.2 billion people). The farming of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is being promoted as a potential solution to the current high rates of malnutrition and poor health of the rural population, the degradation of tropical forests and the spread and intensification of poverty. However, the role of NTFPs in rural development in Ghana remains largely undervalued and understudied. This paper examines the contribution of NTFPs farming in enhancing poverty reduction, food security, sustainable forest management, and livelihoods improvement in the Sefwi Wiawso District (SWD) of the Western Region of Ghana. An exhaustive literature review and analysis of field data collected through administration of questionnaires, interviews and stakeholder consultations indicate that NTFPs are an important tool for addressing poverty amongst marginalised, forest-dependant communities in Ghana. 86% of farmers in SWD depend on NTFPs for income, food and medicine. The results of the study support the call on decision makers and development actors to put NTFPs management on national, regional and district development agendas.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Food Security and Poverty
- What is Poverty?
- OECD's View on Poverty
- Poverty Trends in the World
- Poverty and Food Insecurity in Ghana
- The Link between Poverty and the Environment
- Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Farming
- What are NTFPs?
- NTFPs and Poverty Reduction
- The Need for NTFPs Farming
- Case Study of Sefwi Wiawso District in the Western Region of Ghana
- The Study Location
- Impacts of NTFPs Harvesting in Sefwi Wiawso District
- NTFPs Farming in Ghana
- Impacts of NTFPs Farming
- Empowerment and Income Effects
- Education and Health
- Food Security
- Environmental Benefits of NTFPs Farming
- Challenges and Prospects of NTFPs Farming
- Policy Vacuum
- Inadequate Finance
- Lack of Inputs and Farm Construction Materials
- Lack of Awareness Creation
- Limited Capacity Building Opportunities
- Marketing Constraints
- Recommendations for Enhancing the Development and Promotion of NTFPS
- Formulation of a Visible National NTFPs Policy
- Prevention of Deforestation
- Sustainable Forest Management
- Provision of Financial Support to NTFPs Farmers
- Supply of Construction Materials
- Need for an Effective Awareness Creation Programme on NTFPs
- Vigorous Environmental Education
- Strengthening the Capacity of NTFPs Farmers and Relevant Stakeholders
- Establising NTFPs Demonstration Farms
- Provision of Technical and Extension Services
- Facilitating Processing and Marketing of NTFPs
- Formulation of a Visible National NTFPs Policy
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to investigate the potential of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) farming in reducing poverty and enhancing food security in the Sefwi Wiawso District of Ghana. The study specifically explores the contribution of NTFPs farming to improving livelihoods, sustainable forest management, and overall development of the region.
- The role of NTFPs in rural development in Ghana
- The impacts of NTFPs farming on poverty reduction, food security, and livelihoods
- The challenges and prospects of NTFPs farming in Ghana
- Recommendations for enhancing the development and promotion of NTFPs farming
- The importance of sustainable forest management in the context of NTFPs farming
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction highlights the global challenges of poverty eradication and food security, emphasizing their importance for sustainable development, particularly in developing countries. It outlines the commitments made by world leaders to address these issues and discusses the persistence of poverty, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Food Security and Poverty: This chapter provides an overview of poverty, defining it and exploring various perspectives on the issue. It examines global poverty trends and highlights the inseparable link between poverty and hunger in developing countries.
- Poverty and Food Insecurity in Ghana: This chapter focuses on the specific situation of poverty and food insecurity in Ghana, providing context for the study's focus on the Sefwi Wiawso District.
- The Link between Poverty and the Environment: This chapter explores the relationship between poverty and the environment, emphasizing the importance of sustainable resource management and the potential role of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in poverty reduction.
- Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Farming: This chapter introduces the concept of NTFPs farming, explaining the various products and their potential benefits. It discusses the need for NTFPs farming as a strategy for poverty reduction and sustainable forest management.
- Case Study of Sefwi Wiawso District in the Western Region of Ghana: This chapter presents a case study of the Sefwi Wiawso District, examining the impacts of NTFPs harvesting and farming on local communities. It analyzes the economic, social, and environmental benefits of NTFPs farming in the region.
- Challenges and Prospects of NTFPs Farming: This chapter identifies various challenges and prospects of NTFPs farming in Ghana, highlighting the need for policy support, financial assistance, and capacity building for farmers. It discusses the importance of addressing marketing constraints and promoting awareness about NTFPs.
- Recommendations for Enhancing the Development and Promotion of NTFPS: This chapter provides recommendations for enhancing the development and promotion of NTFPs farming in Ghana. It emphasizes the need for a national NTFPs policy, financial support, capacity building, and effective awareness creation programs.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this text include poverty reduction, food security, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), sustainable forest management, livelihoods improvement, and rural development in Ghana. The study also emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation, forest reserves, and the impact of NTFPs farming on marginalized communities.
- Quote paper
- Prof. Dr. Emmanuel Boon (Author), Albert Ahenkan (Author), 2008, Enhancing food security and poverty reduction in Ghana through non-timber forest products farming: Case study of Sefwi Wiawso District, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/86653