By Muhammad Sani Mu’azu
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project have partnered to hold a training workshop on value chain development for non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The workshop, held as part of efforts to restore sustainable forestry practices, took place in Bauchi, and brought together various stakeholders, including environmentalists, community leaders, and forestry experts.
In his goodwill message, delivered on behalf of the FAO Country Representative, Dominic Koffy Kouakou, by FAO focal person Engineer Precious Agbesor, the FAO expressed its commitment to promoting sustainable forestry and supporting rural livelihoods across Nigeria. The workshop, according to the FAO, is a significant step toward ensuring that non-timber forest products are harnessed in ways that not only support local economies but also contribute to environmental conservation.
“Non-timber forest products are essential resources for many rural households, providing food, income, and employment while supporting the conservation of our forests,” Agbesor said. “This training is designed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge to manage, harvest, and market these valuable resources in a sustainable manner.”
The FAO also emphasized the crucial role NTFPs play in enhancing food security, reducing poverty, and promoting rural development. Through capacity-building initiatives like this, the FAO aims to empower communities to responsibly manage and utilize their natural resources for economic and environmental benefits.
Similarly, speaking on behalf of the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Malam Abdulhamid Umar, the Drought and Desertification Control Specialist, Ruth Oghale, highlighted the significance of NTFPs in forest-dependent communities. She explained that the development of NTFP value chains is critical not only for the economic empowerment of rural populations but also for the conservation of biodiversity and environmental resilience.
“Non-timber forest products contribute significantly to eco-friendly enterprises and income generation for rural communities,” Oghale noted. “This training is a major milestone in ACReSAL’s technical collaboration with the FAO to restore 350,000 hectares of land as part of our wider landscape management goals.”
Participants at the workshop are set to engage in interactive sessions on various topics, including sustainable harvesting practices, market designs for NTFPs, and the development of value chain plans. The workshop also includes hands-on exercises, group discussions, and a field visit to provide participants with a practical understanding of the value chain process.
In his remarks, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, Bauchi State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, represented by Engineer Mukhtar Yerima Giade, emphasized the importance of partnerships like the one between FAO and ACReSAL. He stated that such collaborations are vital for achieving the project’s objectives of landscape restoration and sustainable forest management.
“This platform allows us to share knowledge, foster partnerships, and achieve common goals,” Dr. Kabir said. “The participation of all stakeholders in this workshop is essential to transforming the vision of sustainable forest management into reality.”
The workshop is expected to equip participants with the tools necessary to develop viable NTFP markets that benefit both local communities and the broader ecosystem.