First record of a specialist folivore of Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) in Togo, and indices of its range expansion in Nigeria: implications for biological control

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Applied Economics Letters

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been shown to play an important role in the livelihoods of rural communities, especially when experiencing an economic shock. However, their role at the macro-level is less understood. This paper assembled unique data from 24 countries and determined the contribution of NTFPs to employment and the effect of weather shocks on employment in NTFPs. Results show that NTFPs contribute about 0.03% to national employment and make up about 2% of the total agriculture sector labour force. Weather shocks (droughts and floods) increase the number of people employed in NTFPs by more than 16,000 workers per year, which is about 0.8% of the total agriculture labour force, and this effect is increasing in forest size. We contribute to the literature on the role of forests and NTFPs in employment creation at the national level.

Keywords

agriculture, employment, Non-timber forest products, weather shocks

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