The contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to household economies, food security, national economies and to the environmental objectives has received increasing recognition. It is estimated that 80 per cent of the population of the developing countries use NTFPs for health and nutritional needs, and several millions households world-wide depend heavily on these products for subsistence, consumption and/or income. NTFPs are also used as raw materials for large-scale industrial processing, including for internationally traded commodities such as foods and beverages, confectionery, flavourings, perfumes, medicines, paints or polishes.
At present, at least 150 types of NTFPs are significant in terms of international trade. These include honey, Arabic gum, rattan, bamboo, forest nuts and mushrooms, essential oils, and plant or animal parts for pharmaceutical products. It was estimated that the total value reached US$12 billion per annum.
In Sabah, there is now an increasing interest to pursue further studies on the range of Sabah's biodiversity, especially in relations to NTFPs. The government agencies in Sabah such as Kinabalu Park, Sabah Museum and Forest Research Centre in Sandakan have considerable collections of indigenous medicinal plants in their respective herbarium. Indeed, their research shows a bright prospect for further development in the usage of NTFPs especially as medicinal plants.
In view of the significance and potential of NTFPs, the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) jointly organised a seminar and workshop in 1998 to discuss and determine the prospect of utilising NTFPs in Sabah. This publication contains a collection of working papers presented at the seminar. The book aims to provide an understanding of the various aspects of NTFPs. It also highlights major issues, challenges and prospects of NTFPs utilisation.
1998