The Social and Economic Significance of Natural Gum and Resin in the Woodlands of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The social, economic, and ecological role of woodlands forests in dry and lowland areas are more imperative than anywhere else. Most of the dry lands of Ethiopia host woodlands that produce various commercial gum-resin products. The objective of this study was to investigate the social and economic importance of commercial gum-resin products focusing on their roles in the local livelihoods. Four kebeles, namely, Luka and Enchete from Bena-Tsemay district, and Erbore and Asele from Hamer district of South Omo Zone, were purposively selected for the collection of socioeconomic data. Semistructured questionnaire and checklists were used for households and key informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. In addition, market assessments and field observation were conducted to collect the primary data and supplemented with secondary data. A total of 80 households were randomly selected for one-to-one interviews from the total number of 425 households in the selected kebeles. A total of 10 key informant interviews with elders, forestry experts, local merchants, and enterprise members involved in gum-resins marketing and 4 focus group discussions with 12 members including men, women, and youth were conducted. Simple descriptive statistical tools were used for the data analysis. The results of the study showed that the mean annual income earned from the sale of gum-resins was 5670 and 4571 ETB per household at Bena-Tsemay and Hamer study sites, respectively. About 84% of the respondents indicated that gum-resin collection was the simplest and fastest means to earn income for school children and women. Gum and resin collection was the third most important livelihood option in the study area following animal husbandry and crop and honey production. The majority (84%) of respondents recognized the income made from gum-resin products as a safety net during recurring famine eras. Moreover, respondents recognized the benefit of gum arabic as food during famine time, as chewing gum, and as nutritious fodder. It was also used as folk medicine for both human and livestock diseases. Communities used this resource as a constituent to treat eye and skin infections, bleeding, wounds, ulcers, stomachache, gastrointestinal infections, etc. In addition, 88.33% of shrubs/trees were used as source of cash income for local communities and 11.67% as fodder for animal husbandry. Despite this significance, various constraints hindered the utilization of the resource in the study area, and these included lack of appropriate tapping techniques, market access, market information, cooperatives, infrastructure facilities, and appropriate institutions as well as poor local communities’ awareness of land management. The present investigation has provided valuable information for overcoming the major constraints by devising strategies to maximize gum-resin production and commercialization in the study area.

Gum and Resin Production and Marketing: Implications for Pastoral Livelihood in Adadle District, Somali Region, Ethiopia

“…In line with this study, Hido and Alemayehu [14] found that the primary source of income for the pastoral community was the collection and sale of gum and resin products, which also contributed signifcantly to the food purchases of households. Te cost of health care and medication for humans and livestock, savings, school expenses, and costs related to participating in diferent social-cultural issues were covered by the income earned from selling gum and resin products.…”

“…Terefore, a reconnaissance survey was conducted in the study area before data collection. According to the results of the reconnaissance survey, the Adadle district was purposefully chosen based on its potential for producing and marketing resin and gum [14]. Secondly, the total kebele in the district was stratifed into two rural and urban strata.…”

“…Despite the high potential of the resource base, Ethiopia now produces and exports very little gum arabic each year [8]. Tis is a result of inadequate output, acceptable tapping methods, a lack of infrastructure facilities, appropriate institutions, a dearth of cooperatives, and challenges in gaining access to markets, market knowledge, and reasonable market prices [14]. Additionally, there are gaps in or limitations in knowledge regarding the production and gum quality from diferent tree sources, the ideal age trees for tapping, establishment techniques, silvicultural management, and phenological record needs of the species [15].…”

Evaluating the Potential of Boswellia rivae to Provide Sustainable Livelihood Benefits in Eastern Ethiopia

“…Although some harvesters reported collecting less resin during times of drought as a result of spending more time attempting to keep livestock alive, the trees’ production of the resins was reportedly unaffected by drought conditions, representing a potential safety net of income even during livestock die-offs [ 24 , 39 , 40 ]. Few other alternative sources of income exist in these areas, so the collection of resins is a critical source both of supplementary income and stability, especially as climate change is likely to drive increasing frequency and severity of drought [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Analysis of Charcoal Producers Perceptions of Its Production, Forest Degradation, and Governance in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia’s Dry Afromontane Forests

“…In the study area, charcoal production is a labor-intensive activity and requires a lot of energy input during kiln preparation, especially for arranging huge, bulky wood stems, which is attributed to the dominance of the male age group and low engagement by females. Similarly, fndings by diferent authors [8,[37][38][39][40][41] confrmed the involvement of more men than women in charcoal production due to the need for intensive labor in Narok-South Subcounty (Kenya), Niger state, Oyo state (Nigeria), Injibara, and South Omo (Ethiopia), respectively. In Ghana, male-headed households are more engaged in charcoal production than femaleheaded households [42].…”