Non-Timber Forest Products and Their Income Contributions to Rural Households in Kalu District, Northeast Ethiopia

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are crucial for rural livelihoods either for subsistence or income generation. However, the natural vegetation and forests in the study area have been degraded by human impacts leading to habitat loss. Therefore it is essential to study and document evidence about NTFPs and their value in the study area. The main aim of this study is to assess non-timber forest products and their income contributions in Kalu District, Northeast Ethiopia. Three Kebeles were purposively selected based on NTFP availability, household reliance on NTFP collection and time. A total of 149 sample household respondents were selected using simple random sampling methods from the three Kebeles (Ancharo, Keteteya, and Gedero) in proportionate allocations. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations and structured and semi-structured household interviews. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study identified six major types of NTFPs used by households, namely: energy sources (fuel-wood and charcoal), medicinal plants, household utensils, wild edibles, wild spices, and fodders. The most important NTFPs included honey, fuel wood, charcoal and others (household utensils, edible fruits), contributing 39 %, 31 %, 25 %, and 5 % of forest income, respectively. NTFPs contributed 13.3 % of the total annual household income in the study area. The findings of this study revealed that incomes derived from NTFPs in the study area were relatively low compared to other sources of income. Therefore, polices and strategies aimed at improving the well-being of the local people should pay attention to the contribution of NTFPs to their livelihoods.