Strong Recommendations for the Reinforcement of NTFPs Contribution in Central Africa through Policies, Programmes and Projects during Boali Workshop (Central Africa Republic)- These recommendations are addressed to RIFFAC, countries, COMIFAC, and development partners and research institutions.

Boali (Central African Republic), 25 - 28 July 2011 - Holding of the ever first meeting of NTFPs Sub-Work Group of Central African Biodiversity Work group (GTBAC). This meeting was organized by the Central African minister for Water Resources, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries and COMIFAC Executive Secretariat, with FAO financial and technical support.

The official opening ceremony was marked by the welcome address of Mr Dieudonné CRAYAMA, Representing the Lord Mayor of Boali municipality, the addresses of Mrs Rokhaya DABA FALL, FAO resident representative in CAR, Mr Rémy MUKONGO SHABANTU, CEEAC representative, Mr Raymond MBITIKON, COMIFAC Executive Secretariat, and the opening address of Mr Rubens NAMBAÏ, Cabinet Director, representing the minister for Water resources, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries.

Following the opening ceremony, and after adopting meeting agenda, participants followed several presentations in plenary, and matters requesting serious attention were analyzed in work groups. Presentations included the following: (1) Considering NTFPs in COMIFAC Convergence Plan, by Mr Chouaïbou NCHOUTPOUEN (COMIFAC); (2) Challenges and Opportunities relating to NTFPs for poverty eradication and Food Security in Central Africa, by Dr. Ousseynou NDOYE (FAO) ; (3) Contribution of NTFPs sector to Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Congo, by Dr Félix KOUBOUANA (FAO); (4) Valorisation of NTFPs and Poverty Eradication: ADM (Market Study and Development) approach in Cameroon and DRC, by Dr. Julius TIEGUHONG (Biodiversity International); (5) Market Information Systems, SIM, by Raoul NGUEKO (SNV); (6) Update on domestication of non timber forest products in West and Central Africa, by Dr. ZAC TCHOUNDJEU (ICRAF).

At the end of the meeting, participants formulated a series of strong recommendations aiming at reinforcing the role of NTFPs through policies, programmes and projects in Central Africa. These recommendations are addressed to RIFFAC, countries, COMIFAC and development partners and research institutions. To this effect, it was recommended at RIFFEAC that, with the help of development and research partners, NTFPs-related training modules be developed (in all domains) and provided to institutions (training institutions, ministries, etc.); to update training programmes of specialized institutions by integrating NTFPs modules. As far as countries are concerned, participants recommended POPC elaboration and adoption (Convergence Plan Operationalisation Plan); the putting in place of an incentive regulatory framework for NTFPs in COMIFAC member countries; the creation/reinforcement and operationalisation of institutional entities in charge of NTFPs; the limitation of the number checkpoints and imposing sanction on agents guilty of harassment; the sensitization of NTFPs actors on their right and duties, as well as resort options in case of abuses; the review of NTFPs taxation studies; the creation and/or reinforcement of an NTFPs fund and the consideration of a national budget allocation for NTFPs. Please, consult the Final Communiqué in order to see all the other recommendations.

Note that NTFPs sub-work group is part of the Central African Biodiversity Work Group (GTBAC)

Please, download the Final Communiqué of the First meeting of NTFPs Sub-Work Group