Forest Products, Livelihoods and Conservation

184 Trading forest products in South-Eastern Zimbabwe

many individuals have started selling some of these products (Arnold et al.

1994; Browder 1992). In Zimbabwe, it is now a common feature along major

roads passing through rural areas to see people selling a diverse range of

forest products. These products include carvings from both stone and wood,

thatch, baskets, sisal mats, wild fruits, fuel wood, mushrooms, mopane worms,

and clay pots (Braedt and Standa-Gunda 2000). The increased commercialisation

of these forest products, and in particular wood carvings, has resulted in many

questions including:

• How has the increased commercialisation of these products affected
  rural economies?


• What benefits are there in participating in these markets?


• What has been the response by relevant policy making institutions?


• What has been the sector’s impact on the natural resource base?

These questions have not been confined to Zimbabwe, but remain central

to research in most countries where the use of forest products by urban and

rural households is prominent. As such, diverse views exist on NTFP trade, use

and management (Dove 1993; Homma 1992; Momberg et al. 1997). There is a

growing consensus that woodcarving enterprises are a potential tool for rural

development in selected areas. This recognition has led to more institutions

putting effort into studying the enterprises with the aim of improving woodland

resource use sustainability and traders’ returns through better marketing

practices. Such efforts in Zimbabwe are exemplified by the work of the Forestry

Commission, the Ministry of Employment Creation and National Affairs and

the University of Zimbabwe.

(Afzelia quanzensis)

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