An economic analysis of forest extraction And its linkage to community livelihoods: The case of kakamega rain forest.

Abstract

Forests and other tree systems in Africa continue to play an important role in the national economies and livelihoods of the rural population. They constitute an important component of household food security by providing fuel wood. The indigenous forests provide a wide range of use and non-use goods and services to local communities. These include food (vegetables, fruits and roots), medicinal plants, house construction materials, fuel wood, wildlife habitat, and other environmental and ecological functions. Forest extraction is not only putting the provision of these goods and services at risk but is also likely to lead to loss of livelihood to local communities as well as loss of forest biodiversity. This study assesses the types and quantities of direct non-timber forest products (NTFPs) extracted by the local people living around the Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya. It further analyses the factors that influence a household's decision to participate in NTFPs' collection and the level of extraction undertaken. The results of this study are derived from a random sample of 370 households who were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The quantities of the different products obtained by extracting households are valued at the average market prices to obtain their financial values. The results of the study indicate that the forest generates a substantial economic value to the local people. It was found that this value is comparable to that of some common crop enterprises in the research area. A Heckman two-stage regression model is used to analyze the socio-economic, institutional, and geo-physical factors that influence household's decision to participate in forest extraction and the level of extraction chosen by the household. Proximity to the forest edge, the form of forest management approach, education level of the household head, and participation in forest conservation activities are the main factors influencing the household decision to extract NTFPs from the forest. The level of extraction for the participating households is influenced by their proximity to the forest, the household size and participation in forest conservation activities. The study concludes by highlighting some important policy inferences for sustainable use and conservation of Kakamega Forest. These include involvement of the communities living adjacent to the forests in forest conservation activities and the implementation of strategies that improve their livelihoods to reduce over-reliance on the forest resources.