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Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) as climate actions in West Africa Sahel: a review

Climate change posed a significant challenge in the West African Sahel, a region identified as one of the most vulnerable to climate change globally. Despite this vulnerability, the role of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in addressing climate change impacts has been underexplored. This study aimed to compile and analyze existing research highlighting the contribution of NTFPs in addressing climate change effects in the West African Sahel. The methodology employed in this study involved a systematic review of available data, drawing from various sources such as Google Scholar, Google, Z-library, Mendeley, and ResearchGate, covering the period from 2010 to 2023. The analysis revealed two primary categories of NTFPs based on their composition and societal utility: NTFPs of plant origin and NTFPs of animal origin. NTFPs made up approximately 3% of West Africa's GDP, with a significant impact on rural areas. They served as a crucial source of income for rural households in the Sahel, with some families earning up to USD 200 per month, constituting a substantial portion of their total income. The study identified various NTFPs and their roles in climate action in the West African Sahel. Examples included the leaves of baobab (Adansonia digitata), gum from Acacia senegal, Vitellaria paradoxa, and honey. These NTFPs enhanced community resilience by promoting food and nutrition security, income generation, and land conservation. Moreover, the study underscored the vital socioeconomic role of NTFPs in strengthening community resilience and their significant contributions to carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Consequently, this review paper recommended the inclusion of NTFPs in the climate change policies and programs of the West African Sahel.

Uploaded by: Abdoul Rachid Moussa Soumaila
Author: MOUSSA SOUMAILA, Abdoul Rachid | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2707-858X
Co-author: Sani Iddi, Hannatou
Co-author: Moussa, Soule | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9125-1304
Institution: Université Abdou Moumouni Niamey | Centre: West African German Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation (WAC-SRT)
Type: Journal article | English | Peer Reviewed
Subjects: Climate and Environment, Development, Agriculture

Published: Journal of Business and Environmental Management (JBEM), ISSN Print: 2959-4243 ISSN Online: 2959-4251 | Vol. 2, no. 1 (2023) | Multan City: Ali Institute of Research and Skill Development (AIRSD)
Date: March 2023 | Pages: 1 – 23
Copyright: © 2023 The Authors | License: Open Access, Creative Common Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0