Economic Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products to Rural Livelihoods in the Shivalik Range of Jammu and Kashmir
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.62307Keywords:
Livelihood, Non-timber forest products, Economic contribution, Marketing, Off-farm incomeAbstract
This research was carried out to examine the importance and economic value of identified Non- Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in supporting the livelihoods of forest dwellers East Forest Circle of Jammu and Kashmir. The NTFPs were identified and documented with the help of participatory rural appraisal methods. Multi-stage random sampling method was used to identify the ultimate sampling units. The study revealed that NTFP income contributed 29%, on-farm 16% and off-farm 55% of total household income. It was found that ten NTFPs, were collected by the forest dwellers which significantly contributed to their livelihoods. By applying regression analyses, it was found that NTFP availability, agricultural occupation, NTFP collection experience and on-farm-income had a positive impact on NTFP income. From the research, it was recommended to teach and organize capacity building programs for the forest dwellers in order to improve their level of competence in NTFP collection, storage and grading.
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