Assessing garcinia afzelii harvest and trade : case study of Southeast Liberia

Abstract

Trabajo Fin de Máster Propio. Tutores: Dr. Johnson J. Geply ; Dr. Seyni Abdoul-Aziz. Garcinia afzelii is a polygamous evergreen tree species that belongs to the family Clusiaceae. Its geographic range extends across Central and West tropical Africa, mainly, in Nigeria, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. There are special biotic chemicals contained in Garcinia afzelii for which it is highly desirable for trade. The tree species has been assessed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2013 and is categorized as Vulnerable due to its decline in the wild as a result of extraction and overexploitation. The study was carried out in Southeast Liberia with the general objective to analyze and map the areas of Garcinia afzelii harvest and trade. Four counties in Southeast Liberia, namely Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, River Gee, and Sinoe were purposively selected for data collection based on important harvest sites, accessibility to towns, and the number of actors in the value chain of Garcinia afzelii. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools were used to gather data from transporters, traditional leaders, Forestry Development Authority (FDA) staff, Police, immigration officers, and Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) agents. Key questions were asked in the study that addressed the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the major actors in the value chain, trade regulations, and the role played by local communities in the harvest of Garcinia afzelii. A total of 225 individuals (203 harvesters and 22 traders) were sampled in 17 communities across Southeast Liberia. For the majority of the harvesters, 115 (56.7%) age range was found between 18 to 35 years and followed by 81 (39.9%) who have an age range between 36 to 50 years. 7 (3.5%) of the harvesters have attained 50 years and above. 142 (70%) of the total harvesters interviewed are self-employed. The general overview of the harvesters’ level of education from the results revealed 51.7% have attained elementary education, 30.5% with junior high education, 16.3% with senior high-level education, and 1.5% obtained no education. 14.8% of the harvesters generate their income from the sale of Garcinia afzelii. Key to addressing gender aspects in the value chain of Garcinia afzelii, women’s involvement was addressed. Women’s involvement comes at the town leadership level where they play a vital role in regulating the harvest and having opinions on the determination of the Garcinia afzelii round pole price. A total of 17 focus group discussions were held where women constituted 6% of the total 127 respondents. Income generated from Garcinia afzelii sale by both the harvesters and traders is used for health, feeding, small trade, and education. Despite the FDA has promulgated the National Forestry Reform Law of 2006 which provides guidelines for the use, management, and protection of forest resources, there is increasing demand for Garcinia afzelii coupled with a lack of proper monitoring and enforcement of the harvest and trade regulations. Recommendations include more awareness raising for local communities on harvest and trade guidelines for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and the FDA and the Community Forest Management Board need to coordinate to promote effective enforcement measures to regulate the harvest and trade of Garcinia afzelii.