Forest Tenure, Governance and EnterpriseNon-Timber and Timber Enterprises in The

Gambia

Kanimang CamaraCameroon, May 25th – 29th, 2009Ti

mbe

r and

NTF

P E

nter

pris

es in

The

Gam

bia

General Country context:

The Gambia is a sub-tropical country in West-Africa with a total land area of approximately 10,689km².Population of about 1.4 million (Gambia Population Profile 2003) people and population growth rate of 4.2% per annum.Climate Sudano-sahelian type (rainy season June-October & dry season November-May) Ti

mbe

r and

NTF

P E

nter

pris

es in

The

Gam

bia

General Country context Cont.

The Gambia with a GNP of about US $ 37.5 MThe economy is characterized by its small size,

narrow economic base, low level of literacy and overall skills

Re-distributive trade, agriculture and tourism build the main sectors of the economy.Tourism contributes 16% of the GDP

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

General Country context Cont.

43% of total area is forested – 460,000 ha. (excluding mangroves)78% of this is tree and shrub savannahSince central control did not work, Gambia moved to participatory management approaches in 1990sGambia Forest Management Concept and National Forestry Fund made state forests nuclei of knowledge for community forest managementGoal of 30% forest cover, 200,000 Ha. of it community owned and managed.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Steps of passing land and tree tenure rights to local communities

Villagers and local authoritiesagree on setting land aside for the purpose of community forestry and testify that this land is free from any individual claims and is subject to common management

⇓villagers establish a formal body or forest committee acting on their behalf

⇓the forest committeeestablishes a preliminary forest management plan and applies for PCFMA conclusion

⇓

⇓

the Regional forest officer approves the management plan and the Director approves the PCFMA application. Upon

approval the PCFMA is concluded and the forest committee is registered with the FD

⇓the forest committee may establish by-laws and agreements with the local authorities on a final community forest boundary

⇓the Regional forest officer in collaboration with the PFM unit conducts the PCFMA evaluation with other stakeholders

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Steps of passing land and tree tenure rights to local communities Cont.

The final survey of the concerned CF is conducted

⇓The notice of the CF is concluded and gazetted

⇓the CFMA is concluded between the forest committee,on behalf of the community or group of communities and the Director, on behalf of the SoS, provided that the committee performed well and that the community forest boundaries are fixed

The order is published and announced in the gazette

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Case Study 1: Jombong Bantang Cultural Camp, Berefet village

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

General Enterprise InformationJombong Bantang Cultural camp owned by Berefet VillageRegistered with FD, AG Chambers & GTA

Located on Folonkojang CF (63.5Ha.)

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

General Enterprise Information Cont.

The Ecotourism enterprise has set goals which are to:improve the livelihoods of the community members;fight against rural urban drift;build the capacity of members of the enterprise in group management and entrepreneurial skills;create economic benefits for the community through Sustainable Forest Management as well as providing access to micro credit facilities at community level.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

General Enterprise Information Cont.

Seed money of 5,600 Euros – German Grant

Profits from Log EnterpriseVDC main umbrella bodyCFC – Environmental issues (CF)IG Members – mgt. Forest-based EnterprisesProfits generated equally divided in 2 parts ( vill. & ent. dev. )

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Infrastructure, Assets, Partners, and Community TiesEnterprise owns the following:

- boat and out boat engine, generator, water pump and - tank, freezer, refrigerator, plastic chairs, tables,

buildings, kitchen utensils, video, television and telephone.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Offer and Value Proposition

Production value (GMD) 2003 -2008

425,100.00821,925.001,429,000.002,040,475.002,799,150.00Total

001,050.001,925.002,400.00Tailoring

7,500.0011,000.00 13,750.0016,800.0021,000.00Forest walk

200.00400.00 700.00 1,500.001,800.00Paddling

1,500.006,000.008,000.0012,500.0018,000.00 Boat trips

2,400.0030,000.0033,000.0029,400.0034,200.00Beer

80,000.0095,850.00135,000.00211,225.00 299,250.00Mineral water

10,500.0019,800.0096,000.00130,875.00142,500.00Soft drinks

323,000.00627,750.001,020,000.001,400,000.001,852,500.00Food

16,000.0031,125.00121,500.00248,750.00427,500.00Accommodation

2003-20042004-20052005-20062006-20072007-2008

Exchange rate 1US$ = 19.30 Gambian Dalasis (D)Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Customers & Market that the Enterprise Services

Major customers of the Enterprise are:Group researchers, European students on

educational tours (arts and culture), musicians, eco-friendly visitors, birdwatchers, GOs and NGO

Promotional Strategies:Sign boards, media, participation in National Tourism fares & promotional trips to the TDA

Markets:Domestic market

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Finance – Flow of Money In and Out of the Enterprise

Profit margin 2007-2008 projected at D2,799,150.00

(US$139,957.50) 56.16%50% salaries for IG members & 50% ROI & Village Dev.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General Options

Internal challengesProper management of revenue generated by the enterprise.Capacity building of members on entrepreneurial and group management skills.Maintaining standards and the reputation of the enterprise as well as sustaining bio-diversity.Increase access to the tourism market to sell products/services of the enterprise.Installation of solar energy lightening system.

External challengesEstablish and maintain collaboration with other institutions to access support/service.Lobby with Government to include rural-community enterprise members in international promotional tours and fares on tourism.Creation of Regional network of community based eco-tourism programme to be able to coordinate prices, joint promotional campaign and sharing of operational cost.Securing tenure over the remaining forest areas on village customary land

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General Options Cont.

Key opportunities:Availability of land for expansion, rich bio-diversity and culture.Securing tenure over the remaining forest cover on customary land through CF programme.Creation of a webpage about the enterprise and provision of internet services.Procurement of transport for easy access to and from the village.Possibility for the village to benefit from the rural electrification and water programmes from the local council.Continuous capacity building of IG members for effective servicedelivery.Availability of communal labour and resources to implement planned activities.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General Options Cont.

NGO and international organizations could continue to

play the following roles as partners in development:Capacity building programs for entrepreneurs,Provision of micro-finance opportunities with low interest rates.Facilitating tenure arrangements on land and forest to guaranteelong term ownership over the resources.Patronizing community based eco-tourism structures by conducting workshops and seminars to boost the incomes of the enterprises.Creation of linkages with other actors along the chainSupplementing the efforts of the enterprise in community development activities. Creation of enabling policy framework for the effective operation of community based enterprises.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General Options Cont

Case Study 2: Sibac Honey and Honey by-product Enterprise, Buram village

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

General Enterprise Information

Enterprise owned by the community of Buram village

Registered with FD & NBAG IN 2003Location Sibac CF (31.8 Ha.)Enterprise Dev. & Market Assistance Programme

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

General Enterprise Information Cont.

Organizational structure:

VDC – CFCs- Product based groupsLabour - Community contribution

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Infrastructure, Assets, Partners, and Community TiesList of equipment:

Hives, pair of gloves, uniforms, pair of gum boots, knives,

smokers & plastic containers

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Offer and Value Proposition – How the Enterprise Makes Money

Production value 2003 – 2008

4000.004000.0020,264.5022,769.0039,040.00Total 0 0885.00750.001280.00Soap00292.00279.00 480.00Candle

00887.50740.00 1280.00Body cream

4000.004000.0018,200.0021,000.0036,000.00Sieved honey

20032004

20042005

20052006

20062007

20072008

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Customers – The End – Users, Customers and market that the Enterprise Services

Customers – The End – Users, Customers and market that the Enterprise Services

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Finance – Flow of Money in and out of the EnterpriseCash Flow Projection 2007 – 2008

37,873.0018,824.00Total cash less expenses

471.00696.00Total expenses0200.00 Sign board

10.00 10.00Candle10.0010.00Caustic soda25.0025.00Perfume8.008.00Battery

025.00Torch light8.008.00 Soap

150.00150.00Plastic containers260.00260.00Transport

Expenses19,520.0019,520.00Sales

18,824.000Cash in Hand

Second harvestFirst harvest

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General Options

Internal challengesContinues protection of the area against forest fires.Protection of hives against theft and pest outbreaks.Building the capacity of IG members to explore other business ideas in adding value to wax. Packaging and labeling of productsInadequate information about the enterprise

External challengesSustainability of NBAG’s activities as an umbrella body. Unfair competition between illegal and legal producers of honey.Negative climatic impacts (drought)Access to micro-finance credit at reasonable interest rates

The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General Options Cont.

Some of the key opportunities for the enterprise in the future include the following:Increased production capacity through the procurement of additional hives;Acquisition of legal ownership status over the remaining forest cover to establish more hives;Availability of local skills on bee farming;Capacity building of individual bee farmers for improved production and income earning capacities of community members andChange of wooden hive stands to metallic, used tires or concrete.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

The future – Opportunities, Challenges and General Options Cont.

GOs, NGOs and international organizations supporting the development of

small- scale forest based enterprises should facilitate the following:Support capacity building programmes for local entrepreneurs;Link local entrepreneurs to micro-finance service and support providers;Help communities to secure long term tenure over the land and forest to guarantee communal ownership over the resources;Create enabling policy environment for the effective operation of the enterprises (tax incentives);Support Government efforts to meet the policy goals targeted for the forestry sector;Facilitate Regional experience sharing workshops for small –scale forest-based entrepreneurs;GOs should review their current forest policies and legislations to enhance popular participation in forest management and The National Authorities should enforce forest regulations to reduce illegal and unfair competition in the markets.

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a

Tim

ber a

nd N

TFP

Ent

erpr

ises

in T

he

G

ambi

a