Business ecology of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) utilized under subsistence and small-cash household economy: a survey of indigenous mountain products from southern Batangas, Philippines
2008
Caringal, A.M., Batangas State Univ.-Lobo Campus, Masaguitsit, Lobo, Batangas 4229 (Philippines). Tropical Forestry | Bañados, H.G. Jr., MRL Gold Philippines, Poblacion, Lobo, Batangas 4229 (Philippines). Environmental Rehabilitation Section
This study was conducted to highlight the local knowledge of forest items use and the cash as well as subsistence contributions of these minor forest products to the well-being of some marginalized mountain families. Through Rapid Participatory Resource Appraisal (RPRA) complemented by direct observation and photographs, the study found out these NTFPs to include: organic sweeteners like honey from wild bees (Apis dorsata); crates from tall grasses (Bambusa blumeana); midribs and fibres from an erect palm (Arenga pinnata), soft broom from tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima) and organic hair tonic from woody vine (Entada phaseolides). The NTFPs gatherers and processors are household members themselves who have very low level of education, 70 percent of them have not completed elementary while only 30 percent have reached high school. Mountain children are able to attend primary learning in remote semi-urban lowland villages , but under these current conditions they have no more interests to attend further schooling. NTFPs sales are means for much needed cash, especially during tight months when money is hard to come by. These money earned from these sales are utilized entirely for household essentials such as rice, sugar medicine, cooking oil, powdered milk, detergent, salt, kerosene, fish, pork and other necessary commodities. The total monetary contribution of these NTFPs in the Philippine peso (PhP) during the fiscal year 2004-2005 amounted to PhP 169,354.40 (= USD 3,259.23) at the community level and PhP 25,062.87 (= USD 770.02) at the household economy.
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