Day 3, Session 7: Experience with extraction and management of non-timber forest products Kanimang Camara, National Consultancy on Forestry Extension and Services

1. Forest Tenure, Governance and Enterprise
Non-Timber and Timber Enterprises in The
Gambia
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The Gambia
Kanimang Camara
Cameroon, May 25th – 29th, 2009

2. General Country context:
Gambia
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
The Gambia is a sub-tropical country in
West-Africa with a total land area of
approximately 10,689km².
Population of about 1.4 million (Gambia
Population Profile 2003) people and
population growth rate of 4.2% per annum.
Climate Sudano-sahelian type (rainy season
June-October & dry season November-May)

3. Gambia
General Country context Cont.
The Gambia with a GNP of about US $ 37.5 M
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
The economy is characterized by its small size,
narrow economic base, low level of literacy and
overall skills
Re-distributive trade, agriculture and tourism
build the main sectors of the economy.
Tourism contributes 16% of the GDP

4. Gambia
General Country context Cont.
43% of total area is forested – 460,000 ha.
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
(excluding mangroves)
78% of this is tree and shrub savannah
Since central control did not work, Gambia moved to
participatory management approaches in 1990s
Gambia Forest Management Concept and National
Forestry Fund made state forests nuclei of
knowledge for community forest management
Goal of 30% forest cover, 200,000 Ha. of it
community owned and managed.

5. Steps of passing land and tree tenure rights to local
communities the Regional forest officer approves
Gambia
the management plan and the
Director approves the PCFMA
application. Upon
Villagers and local authorities approval the PCFMA is concluded
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
agree on setting land aside for and the forest committee is
the purpose of community
forestry and testify that this land registered with the FD
is free from any individual ⇓
claims and is subject to the forest committee may
common management establish by-laws and agreements
⇓ with the local authorities on a final
villagers establish a formal community forest boundary
body or forest committee acting
on their behalf ⇓
⇓ the Regional forest officer in
the forest committee collaboration with the PFM unit
establishes a preliminary forest conducts the PCFMA evaluation
management plan and applies with other stakeholders
for PCFMA conclusion
⇓
⇓

6. Gambia
Steps of passing land and tree tenure rights to local
communities Cont.
The final survey of the The order is published and
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
concerned CF is conducted announced in the gazette
⇓
The notice of the CF is
concluded and gazetted
⇓
the CFMA is concluded
between the forest committee,
on behalf of the community or
group of communities and the
Director, on behalf of the SoS,
provided that the committee
performed well and that the
community forest boundaries
are fixed

7. Gambia
Case Study 1: Jombong Bantang Cultural Camp,
Berefet village
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The

8. General Enterprise Information
Gambia
Jombong Bantang Cultural camp owned by Berefet
Village
Registered with FD, AG Chambers & GTA
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Located on Folonkojang CF (63.5Ha.)

9. Gambia
General Enterprise Information Cont.
The Ecotourism enterprise has set goals which are to:
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
improve the livelihoods of the community members;
fight against rural urban drift;
build the capacity of members of the enterprise in
group management and entrepreneurial skills;
create economic benefits for the community through
Sustainable Forest Management as well as providing
access to micro credit facilities at community level.

10. General Enterprise Information Cont.
Gambia
Seed money of 5,600 Euros – German Grant
Profits from Log Enterprise
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
VDC main umbrella body
CFC – Environmental issues (CF)
IG Members – mgt. Forest-based Enterprises
Profits generated equally divided in 2 parts ( vill. & ent.
dev. )

11. Gambia
Infrastructure, Assets, Partners, and Community Ties
Enterprise owns the following:
- boat and out boat engine, generator, water pump and
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
- tank, freezer, refrigerator, plastic chairs, tables,
buildings, kitchen utensils, video, television and
telephone.

12. Offer and Value Proposition
Production value (GMD) 2003 -2008
Gambia
2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004
Accommodation 427,500.00 248,750.00 121,500.00 31,125.00 16,000.00
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Food 1,852,500.00 1,400,000.00 1,020,000.00 627,750.00 323,000.00
Soft drinks 142,500.00 130,875.00 96,000.00 19,800.00 10,500.00
Mineral water 299,250.00 211,225.00 135,000.00 95,850.00 80,000.00
Beer 34,200.00 29,400.00 33,000.00 30,000.00 2,400.00
Boat trips 18,000.00 12,500.00 8,000.00 6,000.00 1,500.00
Paddling 1,800.00 1,500.00 700.00 400.00 200.00
Forest walk 21,000.00 16,800.00 13,750.00 11,000.00 7,500.00
Tailoring 2,400.00 1,925.00 1,050.00 0 0
Total 2,799,150.00 2,040,475.00 1,429,000.00 821,925.00 425,100.00
Exchange rate 1US$ = 19.30 Gambian Dalasis (D)

13. Customers & Market that the Enterprise Services
Gambia
Major customers of the Enterprise are:
Group researchers, European students on
educational tours (arts and culture), musicians, eco-
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
friendly visitors, birdwatchers, GOs and NGO
Promotional Strategies:
Sign boards, media, participation in National Tourism
fares & promotional trips to the TDA
Markets:
Domestic market

14. Finance – Flow of Money In and Out of the Enterprise
Gambia
Profit margin 2007-2008 projected at D2,799,150.00
(US$139,957.50) 56.16%
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
50% salaries for IG members & 50% ROI & Village Dev.

15. The future – Opportunities, Challenges
Gambia
and General Options
Internal challenges External challenges
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Proper management of revenue Establish and maintain
generated by the enterprise. collaboration with other
Capacity building of members institutions to access
on entrepreneurial and group support/service.
management skills. Lobby with Government to
Maintaining standards and the include rural-community
reputation of the enterprise as enterprise members in
well as sustaining bio-diversity. international promotional tours
Increase access to the tourism and fares on tourism.
market to sell products/services Creation of Regional network of
of the enterprise. community based eco-tourism
Installation of solar energy programme to be able to
lightening system coordinate prices, joint
.
promotional campaign and
sharing of operational cost.
Securing tenure over the
remaining forest areas on
village customary land

16. The future – Opportunities, Challenges and
Gambia
General Options Cont.
Key opportunities:
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Availability of land for expansion, rich bio-diversity and culture.
Securing tenure over the remaining forest cover on customary land
through CF programme.
Creation of a webpage about the enterprise and provision of internet
services.
Procurement of transport for easy access to and from the village.
Possibility for the village to benefit from the rural electrification and
water programmes from the local council.
Continuous capacity building of IG members for effective service
delivery.
Availability of communal labour and resources to implement planned
activities.

17. The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General
Options Cont.
Gambia
NGO and international organizations could continue to
play the following roles as partners in development:
Capacity building programs for entrepreneurs,
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Provision of micro-finance opportunities with low interest rates.
Facilitating tenure arrangements on land and forest to guarantee
long term ownership over the resources.
Patronizing community based eco-tourism structures by conducting
workshops and seminars to boost the incomes of the enterprises.
Creation of linkages with other actors along the chain
Supplementing the efforts of the enterprise in community
development activities.
Creation of enabling policy framework for the effective operation of
community based enterprises.

18. The future – Opportunities, Challenges and
General Options Cont

19. Gambia
Case Study 2: Sibac Honey and Honey by-product
Enterprise, Buram village
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The

20. General Enterprise Information
Gambia
Enterprise owned by the community of Buram village
Registered with FD & NBAG IN 2003
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Location Sibac CF (31.8 Ha.)
Enterprise Dev. & Market Assistance Programme

21. General Enterprise Information Cont.
Gambia
Organizational structure:
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
VDC – CFCs- Product based groups
Labour - Community contribution

22. Gambia
Infrastructure, Assets, Partners, and Community Ties
List of equipment:
Hives, pair of gloves, uniforms, pair of gum boots, knives,
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
smokers & plastic containers

23. Offer and Value Proposition – How the
Enterprise Makes Money
Gambia
Production value 2003 – 2008
2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
Sieved 36,000.00 21,000.00 18,200.00 4000.00 4000.00
honey
Body 1280.00 740.00 887.50 0 0
cream
Candle 480.00 279.00 292.00 0 0
Soap 1280.00 750.00 885.00 0 0
Total 39,040.00 22,769.00 20,264.50 4000.00 4000.00

24. Customers – The End – Users, Customers and
market that the Enterprise Services

25. Customers – The End – Users, Customers and
market that the Enterprise Services
Gambia
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The

26. Finance – Flow of Money in and out of the Enterprise
Cash Flow Projection 2007 – 2008
Gambia
First harvest Second harvest
Cash in Hand 0 18,824.00
Sales 19,520.00 19,520.00
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Expenses
Transport 260.00 260.00
Plastic containers 150.00 150.00
Soap 8.00 8.00
Torch light 25.00 0
Battery 8.00 8.00
Perfume 25.00 25.00
Caustic soda 10.00 10.00
Candle 10.00 10.00
Sign board 200.00 0
Total expenses 696.00 471.00
Total cash less 18,824.00 37,873.00
expenses

27. The future – Opportunities, Challenges and
Gambia
General Options
Internal challenges External challenges
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Continues protection of the Sustainability of NBAG’s
area against forest fires. activities as an umbrella
Protection of hives against body.
theft and pest outbreaks. Unfair competition between
Building the capacity of IG illegal and legal producers of
members to explore other honey.
business ideas in adding Negative climatic impacts
value to wax. (drought)
Packaging and labeling of Access to micro-finance
products credit at reasonable interest
Inadequate information rates
about the enterprise

28. Gambia
The future – Opportunities, Challenges and
General Options Cont.
Some of the key opportunities for the enterprise in the future
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
include the following:
Increased production capacity through the procurement of
additional hives;
Acquisition of legal ownership status over the remaining forest
cover to establish more hives;
Availability of local skills on bee farming;
Capacity building of individual bee farmers for improved
production and income earning capacities of community
members and
Change of wooden hive stands to metallic, used tires or
concrete.

29. The future – Opportunities, Challenges and
General Options Cont.
Gambia
GOs, NGOs and international organizations supporting the development of
small- scale forest based enterprises should facilitate the following:
Support capacity building programmes for local entrepreneurs;
Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The
Link local entrepreneurs to micro-finance service and support providers;
Help communities to secure long term tenure over the land and forest to
guarantee communal ownership over the resources;
Create enabling policy environment for the effective operation of the
enterprises (tax incentives);
Support Government efforts to meet the policy goals targeted for the forestry
sector;
Facilitate Regional experience sharing workshops for small –scale forest-
based entrepreneurs;
GOs should review their current forest policies and legislations to enhance
popular participation in forest management and
The National Authorities should enforce forest regulations to reduce illegal
and unfair competition in the markets.

30. Timber and NTFP Enterprises in The Gambia