Abstract
In recent decades, there is a major shift in forest resource governance and management. Participatory forest management (PFM) approach has been promoted widely. However, the link between rural communities’ livelihood dependence on forest resources and the likelihood of PFM success has been understudied. This study examines the contribution of PFM to improving rural livelihoods in Metema district, Ethiopia. A mixed quantitative and qualitative research design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 180 randomly selected participants in three PFM groups. The survey data were supplemented with group discussions and key informant interviews. Results revealed that age is significantly associated with PFM membership. Other household (HH) socioeconomic characteristics did not affect the decision to be a member of a PFM group. The PFM members collect different non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and Frankincense (Boswellia papyrifera) income constitutes 9–25% of the members’ annual HH income. The contribution of Frankincense income decreases from the lowest to higher quantiles. Statistically significant differences were also observed in Frankincense income between the PFM groups investigated (p = 0.05). Moreover, the findings revealed that PFM approach and hence the Frankincense production has played an essential role in poverty alleviation as demonstrated by providing regular income to PFM member HHs, reducing income inequality and serving as a safety net and income gap filling roles. Overall, the PFM approach in the study area contributes to the livelihood improvement of the members that could, in turn, create an incentive for better management of the dry land woodlands.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the financial support from the University of Gondar with the project ‘Product chain development of underutilized high-value non-timber forest product species in the dry lands of northwestern Ethiopia’ and ‘Promoting Sustainable dry forest Management for Livelihood Improvement and Environmental Resilience in North-west lowlands of Amhara, Ethiopia (PrSMa-LIEnR).’ We are also grateful to the experts and PFM members and leaders who assisted in fieldwork and especially all respondents who took part in the survey.
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Conceptualization was done by Z.W. and A.A.; methodology was done by Z.W with the guidance of A.A.; data collection and analysis were done by Z.W. with the guidance of H.T, A.W and A.A; drafting and reviewing the manuscript were done by Z.W, A.A., H.T and A.W; fund acquisition was done by A.A and Z.W. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Woldie, Z., Abtew, A.A., Worku, A. et al. Contribution of participatory forest management to livelihood improvement in Metema district, northwestern Ethiopia. Environ Dev Sustain (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-04276-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-04276-9