Problems Faced by Tribals in Collection and Marketing of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Kerala, India

Aims: NTFPs play a key role in meeting the needs of tribal communities, especially in medicine, poverty reduction and livelihood improvement. For years tribals were involved in NTFPs collection, and it’s the main occupation for Kattunayakan tribes. Considering the importance of NTFPs, the present study focuses on analysing the problems faced by the tribals in Kerala while collecting and marketing NTFPs.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted in the Wayanad district of Kerala State A sample of 65 Kattunayakan tribes who have been involved in NTFPs collection for the last six years were selected randomly. The primary survey was conducted through a pre-tested structured questionnaire during February to April 2022.

Methodology: Garrett’s ranking technique had been used to determine the most critical problem influencing the tribals in NTFPs collection and marketing. Garrett’s Ranking Technique provides a clear picture of the orders of problems into numerical scores. The advantage of this technique is that the problems are arranged based on their severity from the point of view of Kattunayakan tribes. Seasonal calendar used for exhibiting the collection details of NTFPs collected by Kattunayakan tribe by each month.

Results: The study highlighted that the low price availability of NTFPs, negative interactions with wild animals no guidance and support from government officials for marketing of NTFPs, no training for value addition of NTFPs, and long distances to travel to the marketplace were the major problems encountered by the tribals while collection and marketing of NTFPs

Conclusion: Low price availability of NTFPs, negative interactions with wild animals and inadequate availability of NTFPs in the forest were the major problems identified related to collection of NTFPs. Regarding marketing of NTFPs lack of guidance and support from government officials for marketing of NTFPs, no training for value addition of NTFPs, and long distances to travel to the marketplace were identified as the major problems by the tribals.