An Analytical Framework for Assessing the Effect of Income from Non-timber Forest Products on Poverty Alleviation in Savannah Region, Sudan

Abstract

The study objective was to develop an analytical framework to
assess the effect of income from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) on
poverty alleviation in the Savannah region of Sudan. The study developed
a conceptual framework based on a production-to-consumption system. A
framework was developed from the analysis of three case studies selected
from the Savannah region of Sudan based on their economic value. The
framework considered income from NTFPs to be influenced by resource
base, markets for the products and households’ characteristics within the
political environment. The effect on poverty alleviation was achieved by
the potential traded products through the creation of capital invested in
other livelihood activities. The developed framework could potentially be
of direct value to assess the impact of income from NTFPs on poverty
alleviation in the Savannah region. It also directs decision makers and
development planners to focus on those NTFPs with the highest capacity
for poverty alleviation; and to diagnose factors influencing the NTFPs
financial returns. Research on other NTFPs from different areas within
the Savannah region is highly recommended to facilitate comparison and
generalization.