1. How are local communities utilizing the non-cash, intangible goods and services provided by Liberia’s forests? Kolly S. Allison & FFF Facilitator / FAO – Liberia Julius M. Bass National Coordinator Farmers union Network October 6, 2015

2. FFF – Partnership between FAO, IIED & IUCN, hosted at FAO Vision “Smallholders, communities, indigenous peoples and women’s organizations have improved livelihoods and decision-making over forest and farm landscapes” 5 year multi-donor funded programme Working in 10 countries and globally

3. Project Location LOFA GRAND CAPE MOUNT NIMBA

4. FFF Links forests and farms through work on 3 Pillars: 1. Strengthen smallholder, women, community and Indigenous Peoples’ producer organizations for business/livelihoods and policy engagement 2. Catalyze multi-sectoral stakeholder policy platforms with governments at local and national levels 3. Link local voices and learning to the global level through genuine participatory processes, communication and information sharing

5. FFF Pillar 3. Communications, Learning and Knowledge Generation More than 15 print products, website, videos, country strategies Policy brief, 2 WPs, IIED briefs, Strength in numbers, 8 country baseline/scoping studies 4 policy briefing papers, Infographic and Calendar

6. How are local communities utilizing the non-cash, intangible goods and services provided by Liberia’s forests? Collection and harvesting of non timber forest products (NTFP’s) for consumption, sale and medicinal purpose and livelihood opportunities. Products Biodiversity Served as wind breaker (prevents communities from disaster). Provide pure air for communities dwellers

7. What are the opportunities and threats they are face in this endeavor Opportunities  Eassy access to products and services  High quantity of products and services  NTFP’s serve as income generation or generating factors when harvesters and collectors are link to desire markets and opportunities including access to finance Threat  Clearing of forest for farming (deforestation)  Concension  Bad collections practices (cutting down of NTFP’s vines and trees as easy means of harvesting  Peaking or collecting germinated seeds  Illegal entry of forest  Lack of appropriate awareness on sustainable harvesting methods of NTFP  Illegal NTFP traders  Low livelihood hood for forest dependents  Changing in weather  Changing in Government policy

8. Some NTFP’s Photos

9. Names of Some NTFP’S VOACANGA RATTEN WALNUT WOLLOF GRAIN OF PARADISE (GOP) BITTER KOLA SNAIL HONEY FISH CRAB AND CRAW FISH BABOON AND REEDE COCOA ETC.

10. What can we learned from other countries Structure groups of forest producers that will focus specifically on sustainable forest management of NTFP and other forest resources by buying, selling and exporting. Make regular research on NTFP’s markets, access to finance for purchasing service Provide capacity Building support and awareness training, information sharing for local authority, collectors and community on the value chain of NTFP’s during every season. Packaging/ handeling

11. Cont………… Policy regulation Penalty for illegal trade of NTFP’s All products of NTFP be channel through every port of entry in Liberia. Provide opportunities for other NTFP group to share and exchange visit Government to provide duty free on NTFP buying and export. Increase livelihood opportunity for forest community.

12. RECOMMENDATIONS Capacity building for Structure groups of forest producers that will focus specifically on sustainable forest management and NTFP collection Government to provide access to line ministries and agencies to control the movement of non- timber forest products. We need capacity Building support and awareness training, information sharing for local authority, collectors. INGOs set up smell groups in counties, or work with local NGOs to carry on process. Make regular research on NTFP’s markets, access to finance for purchasing service Packaging/ handeling In order to discourage shifting cultivation and an indiscriminate use of the forest, Government/donor need to provide training and inputs to enable, producers utilize the lowland over a long period of time. In that way their, their attention will be diverted from the forest. Train farmers/forest producers on how to harvest non- timber products, add value to their produce and link them to market. To lessen forest producers/farmers dependency on the forest for bush meat, an alternative means of nutrition such as: Fisheries, livestock etc must be provided.

13. Thank you for your attention!