Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Domestication

The book Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Domestication provides an insight into the potentiality of cultivation of NTFPs in cultivated land in place of agro-crops. Based on a structured questionnaire survey and some secondary documents this book has sought to explore the perception of smallholder farmers whether or not the NTFPs could be an alternative to existing agro-crops. The book deals with constraints and opportunities, market opportunities and risks with regards to promotion (domestication) of NTFPs in the cultivated land. The book also throws light on whether or not the existing policies are favourable to NTFPs domestication at farm level. Findings suggest that farmers are very much willing to cultivate NTFPs in their farmland in place of agro-crops. They perceive NTFPs more profitable and environmentally desirable than agro-crops since NTFPs requires less input than agro-crops. But farmers are reluctant to adopt domestication extensively because of market risks and Lack of direct access of farmers to the big trading companies is another constraint posed to expensive cultivation of NTFPs in the farm land.