Collective action and promotion of forest based associations on non-wood forest products in Cameroon

Abstract

This paper documents collective actions undertaken by forest-based associations to access better prices for their non-wood forest products via group sales. Group sales can increase the income of group sellers by up to 40 per cent compared to individual sellers. The institutionalisation of group sales reinforces social relations and cohesion as well as mutual trust. Group sales were found to be a key preliminary step in the development and growth of small and medium scale enterprises. The paper concludes that successful group sales require a strong commitment among members of forest-based associations. Key factors influencing collective actions are discussed.

Action collective et promotion des associations forestières concernant les produits forestiers non ligneux au Cameroun

Cet article documente les actions collectives entreprises par les associations forestières pour accéder à de meilleurs prix pour leurs produits forestiers non ligneux par l'intermédiaire de ventes groupées. Les ventes groupées peuvent accroître les revenus des vendeurs groupés de jusqu'à 40 pour cent par rapport aux vendeurs individuels. L'institutionnalisation des ventes groupées renforce la cohésion et les liens sociaux, ainsi que la confiance mutuelle. Les ventes groupées se sont révélées constituer une étape préliminaire clé du développement et de la croissance des petites et moyennes entreprises. L'article conclut que, pour réussir, les ventes groupées requièrent un fort engagement de la part des membres des associations forestières. Les facteurs clés qui influent sur les actions collectives font l'objet d'une discussion.

Ação coletiva e promoção de associações baseadas na floresta sobre produtos provenientes da floresta que não usem madeira em Camarões

Este artigo documenta ações coletivas realizadas por associações baseadas na floresta para terem acesso a melhores preços por seus produtos que não utilizam madeira através de vendas em grupo. As vendas em grupo podem aumentar a renda dos vendedores do grupo em até 40 por cento em comparação com vendedores individuais. A institucionalização das vendas em grupo reforça as relações sociais e coesão e também a confiança mútua. As vendas em grupo mostraram ser um passo preliminar fundamental no desenvolvimento e crescimento de empresas de pequeno e médio porte. O artigo conclui que as vendas em grupo bem-sucedidas exigem um forte compromisso entre os membros das associações baseadas na floresta. Fatores-chave influenciando ações coletivas são discutidos.

Acción colectiva y promoción de asociaciones forestales basadas en productos forestales no derivados de la madera en Camerún

Este ensayo documenta las acciones colectivas realizadas por asociaciones forestales para obtener mejores precios, a través de ventas en grupo, para productos forestales no derivados de la madera. Las ventas en grupo pueden aumentar los ingresos de quienes venden en grupo hasta en un 40 por ciento en comparación con los vendedores individuales. La institucionalización de las ventas en grupo refuerza las relaciones sociales, la cohesión y la confianza mutua. Se determinó que las ventas en grupo constituyeron un importante paso inicial para el desarrollo y el crecimiento de la pequeña y mediana empresa. En el ensayo se concluye que para vender con éxito en grupo es necesario un fuerte compromiso de los integrantes de las asociaciones forestales. Se analizan también los factores más importantes que pueden influir en las acciones colectivas.

Keywords:

• Environment
• Labour and livelihoods – Poverty reduction
• Methods

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the European Union for funding the project.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William Armand Mala

William Armand Mala holds a PhD in forestry from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. He is currently an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon. His areas of interest are community forestry, adaptive management, traditional forest knowledge, and forest-agriculture innovations.

Julius Chupezi Tieguhong

Julius Chupezi Tieguhong holds a PhD in forestry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Currently, he is the coordinator of the Beyond Timber Project in the Congo Basin with Bioversity International. His research interests include forest poverty links, forest policy and governance, and timber-NWFP interface in forest concessions.

Ousseynou Ndoye

Ousseynou Ndoye is a Senior Forest Economist, with over 18 years of experience working with NWFP. He is currently the regional coordinator of an FAO project funded by the German cooperation on NWFP and Food Security in Central Africa. His research focused on market analysis, forest poverty links, and NWPF enterprise development.

Sophie Grouwels

Sophie Grouwels is the Forestry Officer in charge of community-based enterprise development in the Forestry Department, FAO, in Rome, Italy.

Jean Lagarde Betti

Jean Lagarde Betti is a Lecturer in the University of Douala, Cameroon with over ten years of working experience in plant biology and medicinal plants research. His areas of interests include plant biology, medicinal plants, NWFP development, and sustainable forest management in Central Africa.