Assessment of Local Livelihood of Forest-Dependent Communities in Cambodia

Abstract

Forests are important sources of ecosystem goods and services to billion people around the world. As tropical forests are gradually disappearing while population is increasing, the livelihood of forest-dependent communities is being threatened. Cambodia’s forest subsector contributed 8.4% to agricultural GDP over the period from 1999 to 2008. Although this figure provides an indication of the importance of forest resources in national development, assessment of the detailed contribution of forest goods and services at the local level is urgently needed so that appropriate intervention and development policies could be introduced. The objectives of this study are to better understand the contribution of forest resources to household livelihood by classifying such contribution to four main forest and non-forest products and to propose a policy recommendation. Questionnaires were developed to interview 600 households in three communes, namely the Takaen, Sangke Satob, and Tumring in Kampot, Kampong Spoeu, and Kampong Thom provinces, respectively. The interviews were performed quarterly throughout the year so as to increase the accuracy of the responses from the households. Our analysis found that forest income contributed 76,892±8,160 riel or 13% of the total household incomes in the first quarter. However, forest income increased to 24% (142,645±17,540 riel), 33% (146,422±16,967 riel), and 31% (122,512±9,693 Riel) in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively. Other sources of household incomes were agriculture, outside forest, and other income, all together, contributing 87%, 76%, 67% and 69% of the total incomes in the first, second, third, and fourth quarters, respectively. These findings suggest that forest resources are important sources for the survival of forest-dependent communities. It is recommended that incorporating forest resources into the development planning with the active participation of local people could contribute to sustainable development while protecting the forests.