Abstract:
Local and indigenous communities depend on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in a
variety of ways. However, the absence of ready markets for these products limits their
livelihood support potential and capacity to support environmental and climate change
adaptation efforts. This study examined how the five livelihood capitals i.e. Financial,
Social, Physical, Natural and Human (including market access, value chain and product
quality standards) affect marketing systems for NTFPs and influence climate change
adaptation in the Lawra District, Upper West Region of Ghana. Employing a mixed
methods approach, this study focused on the following objectives: (i) Identify barriers and
or enablers that affect market systems of NTFPs in the Lawra District using correlation and
chi square test; (ii) Assess the influence of market access for NTFPs on climate change
adaptation; (iii) Conduct a profitability analysis across the value chain for one
economically important NTFPs; and (iv) Evaluate quality standards of selected
economically important NTFPs for international export. Using correlation and chi-square
tests, the relationship between the five livelihood capitals and volumes of NTFP harvested
in 2017 were carried out. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess market access
(Availability of Transportation) and volume of NTFPs, profitability analysis to assess
profitability across a selected NTFP (Shea butter), pesticide and quality analysis for a
selected NTFP were also carried out. Results indicated that various livelihood capitals and
volumes of NTFP collected show a positive and negative correlation for natural and
financial capital, respectively, but with no significance for the remaining livelihood
capitals. There was, however, a positive linkage for market access and the volumes of
NTFP collected. The profitability analysis of the shea product across its value chain
indicated a significant decrease in profits up the value chain from harvesting to processing.
Shea butter samples from a household in the Lawra District fell below quality standards
for export as chlorpyrifos pesticide residue were above acceptable levels while a sample
produced from a women’s groups passed all quality standards. Despite overall benefits of
actions that improve living standards, the quality control measures employed in processing
Shea butter in households and profits across the shea value chain do not enhance market
systems, hence do not also complement climate change adaptation efforts. The study,
however, recommends that improvement in market access would significantly improve market systems and would complement climate change adaptation efforts since it would
increase the appreciation for indigenous products in in relation to their market value.
