NTFP Final Report 15 June 2013

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Market Survey and Analysis of five Non- Timber Forest Product (NTFP) categories in
Nainamadhu forest area in Vavuniya North DSD of Vavuniya
District
Acknowledgements
My first thank is addressed to Sewa Lanka Foundation, which offered the opportunity to conduct
this study. Further thanks belongs to the participants of the field survey in all the 8 GNDs and to the
different market actors in different areas in Vavuniya and adjoining District for their helpful and
informative collaboration.
This was enabled by the staff and Volunteers of Sewa Lanka at district and provincial level, who
actively supported the study. Special thank belongs to Ms. Babara for giving constructive feedbacks
and encouraging advices Ms. Annet, Director for Special Projects, Sewa Lanka, Vavuniya District and
Mr. Ajantha Palihawardana, Program Manager , Forestry., who were created favorable conditions to
contact all required private and state stakeholders for relevant study issues.
Finally my thanks to the study team members ,
Mr.Nadarajah Ravikumar
Mr.Kandiah Suthan
Mr.Tharmaratnam Parthipan
Mr.Vimal
Sangarapillai Naguleswaran
Research Lead
VWILL Pvt Ltd.

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Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3
I. Nainamadu Forest Reserve (NFR) ...............................................................................................3
II. Executive summary .....................................................................................................................3
1. Background of the study area..........................................................................................................5
1.0 Socio Economic Features ..............................................................................................................5
1.1 Demography..................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Land holding size of the sample families ......................................................................................6
2. Survey Methodology.......................................................................................................................7
2.0 House hold income from various sources .........................................................................................8
3. NTFPs Activities...........................................................................................................................10
3.0 Discussions and results from community participation..............................................................12
3.1 Selection Criteria used: ...............................................................................................................13
3.2 NTFPS Identified..........................................................................................................................13
4. Non Timber Forest Products Analysis ..........................................................................................14
4.0 Wild Bee Honey...........................................................................................................................14
4.1 Tamarind .....................................................................................................................................25
4.2 Wild and Domestic Fruits of NFR ..........................................................................................30
4.3 Medicinal plant products ............................................................................................................35
4.4 Inland Fishing ..............................................................................................................................39
4.5 Eco tourism development in the NFR area .................................................................................48

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Introduction
I. Nainamadu Forest Reserve (NFR)
Nainamadu Forest Reserve (NFR) is considered the gateway to the forest cover in the northern area of
Sri Lanka. The Forestry Project funded by the German Government and implemented partnering
Wealthunger Hilfe; Sewa Lanka, aims to bring prominence to the Nainamadu Forest that has
neglected during years of conflict. The Project will empower the community living around the forest,
to engage in Joint Forest Management (JFM), and will be facilitated to produce Non Timber Forest
Productions (NTFPs) such as collection of Wild bee honey and such other produces. The Project is the
first model in the Joint Forest Management in the North and envisions that it will be expanded.
Many hundreds of millions of people across the developing world trade in a diverse range of NTFPs
everyday and which are marketed primarily in local and regional markets (Scherer et al. 2004).
Building materials, fuel wood, charcoal, indigenous foodstuffs, medicines, craft items (from wood,
grass, reeds, and vines), farm and household implements, furniture, and other more specialized
products such as resins, honey, oils and fruit beverages are examples of just some of the products that
may be found for sale in the vast majority of rural markets and in nearby towns and cities. Many of
these markets are growing through both the entry of new products and growth in existing trade.
In Sri Lanka there is a long tradition of forest product use by communities living in close proximity to
forests, either as an economic mainstay or as a supplementary source of household income.
Exploitation of wild species, the enrichment of natural forests with economically important species,
and the adoption of complex agro forestry systems are all examples of a close relationship between
people and forests. As in other Asia regions Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, India and
Nepal, the use of NTFPs has attracted attention in Sri Lanka in recent years because of their
importance in supporting family income and the potential for harvesting NTFPs sustainably while
maintaining forest biodiversity. Several studies documenting the extent and types of usage have been
carried out, particularly in the Sri Lankan humid forests of Knuckles, Adam's Peak Wilderness, and
Sinharaja rain forest, Ritigala (McDermott et al., 1990; Gunatilake et al., 1993; Gunatilleke et al.,
1993; Gunatilake, 1994; Wickramasinghe, 1995). There have been studies to explore the small-scale
handicraft industry based on NTFPs (de Zoysa and Vivekanandan, 1991).
Here the Sewa Lanka Foundations commendable efforts to promote the sustainable harvest and
commercialization of NTFPs of NFR are to be recorded. To catalyze all the actors, Stake holders, the
grass root level Government officials of DOF, GNs, Volunteers, enthusiast in Bio Diversity
conservation were organized to participate in Knowledge Exchange missions to the successful project
locations with the similar Goals and objectives of “Nilgiri Bio sphere of South India and to the
Southern part of Sri Lanka, to see first-hand how they are implementing the community forestry
programs and Joint forest management , in their forest areas —and the results of their work, to
leverage the learning and experience they have gained .
An analysis of these studies suggests that basic propositions emerge to explain the main relationship
between NTFPs and the communities that use them of :
 NTFPs are still a relevant part of the economy of communities living on the periphery of the
forest.
 The collection of NTFPs allows in most cases for the maintenance of the forest cover and most of
its species.
II. Executive summary
The aim of this report is to show the identification and promotion of sustainable used NTFPs found in
the Nainamadu Forest Reserve (NFR) with a promising commercial value contributes to livelihood

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improvement of poorer households. Consequently, the objectives focus on 1) identifying
economically valuable and sustainable used NTFPs at the research site, 2) analyzing the potential for
the commercialization of minimum 3short-listed NTFPs of studied villages, 3) conducting a market
chain analysis of these selected NTFPs, 4) evaluating economic and natural conditions for locally
added value of these NTFPs, and 5) making suggestions for an improvement of the legal and
economic regulations for sustainable resource management and NTFP commercialization for poorer
households in particular.
As survey methodologies, the approaches of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid market
appraisal (RMA) as well as Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and semi structured interviews (SSI) are
applied to collect information at the study site and at the investigated market places. As the
preliminary step the community meetings and Focus Group discussions were organized in all the
GNDs and total of 108 participants were oriented with the objectives of the study, made them to come
out with their opinions and views on NTFPs interventions.
Sampling: Since too little organized information of NTFPs exist on the chain actors, growers,
collectors was known of the population beforehand , in order to allow for random sampling, use had
to be made of non probabilistic sampling methods. In this case a quota sampling method was used in
combination with the snow ball method. In order to meet the set targets of quota samples of each
GNDs the number of grower, collector. After having identified grower collector who fitted the criteria
for inclusion the grower was asked for information concerning other growers, collectors. An effort
was made as ecowalk to target the zones where fruit tree were likely to found together with HHs
intervened with fruits collection and selling. With all these efforts a total sample of 57 HHs were
interviewed with administration of a structured questionnaire. House hold visits enabled to observe
the livelihoods activities involved, visit the farm fields, home yards, to assess the living condition of
HHs, to meet the women members discuss about their willingness, interests, power relationships,
views and opinions on their future plans to involve in NTFPs activities.
Study Area
The study locations are 8 GNDs the surrounding villages of the Nainamadu Forest Reserve, in the
northern Division of Vavuniya District. This study area is a priority area of the pilot project, “Program
for Sustainable Forest in Northern Sri Lanka”, implemented by Sewa lanka Foundation with the
Finance support of The Government of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development and Welthunger Hife, contribute to the goal of the convention on Bio-Diversity to using
the forest resources of NFR in ways that are socially, Economically and Ecologically sustainable.
The overwhelming majority of the people live in the study areas are they engage in agricultural related
activities such as paddy, vegetable, fruits and dry grain cultivation, and cottage industries as main
sources of livelihoods. The percentage of population who engaged in industries such as working in,
rice mills, bakeries, clay brick molding , allied pottery are very low compared to the huge agricultural
sector. The limited service sector jobs, mostly in the public sector, are mainly dominated by the
migrant people from other districts with higher education levels.
Small holding cultivation is the main source of income for many households in which not only men
and women but also children get involved in farming and related activities. It is estimated that
agriculture cultivation of paddy is the main source of employment for about 67 per cent of the
employed in the district. There are extremely limited opportunities for non farm income generation
activities in the district.
Wherever primary occupation of men is agriculture, primary occupation of women is cited as
housewife, by the respondents themselves. In such cases, showing the secondary occupation of
women along with the primary occupation of men gives the complete household income pattern.
Agriculture, the pulsing heart of the district, is curtailed by infinite number of natural and manmade
restrictions and barriers. Above all unavailability of sufficient water imposes the greater challenge for
the agricultural development in the district.

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1. Background of the study area
1.0 Socio Economic Features
Northern part of Vavuniya District, Nedunkerny, the surrounding areas of Nainamadu Forest Reserve
was one of the critical area severely affected under the protracted Regional war and conflict situation,
the three decade prolonged war had played havoc and escalated in the later part of the year 2008 –
2009 causing productive asset lost, land abandonment, damage of economic infrastructure and had
created a situation for a long rehabilitation and restoration period in the path of development. The
Government with the support of various humanitarian and development agencies implemented
comprehensive efforts to bring back the region to the normal level and go beyond that level towards
development in par with other parts of the Sri Lanka. As such much priority was given to the
agricultural sector many projects have been implemented in the agriculture sector.
Consequently the government took many efforts to enable the people to return their original places
and to resettle. Most of the farmers were gradually resettled in their original places. In the inception of
return and resettlement in the year of 2009 the farmers returned were not able to recommence their
farming activities due to the unavailability of the required seeds and inputs, farming machineries tools
and equipments and the necessary capitals.
Government mobilized Various Agencies with the mandate for the development of agriculture and
organized to supply seed paddy to the farmers of Northern Province in 2009, 41367 bushels for 11944
resettled farm families. In 2010, 335,907 bushels to 44090 resettled farmers of Northern Province. In
2011, 64180 bushels of seed paddy to 10697 resettled farmers. In addition the government provided
farm machineries and the financial assistance to these families for preparing their lands.
With all these Government efforts to bring the abandoned lands under cultivation , production of
paddy, other field crops, vegetables and fruits has been drastically increased during the last 3 years .
However the crop production had suffered heavy loss in maha season of 2011/12 due to unexpected
heavy rain in the time of reaping their harvest.
1.1 Demography
The study area comprising 8GNDivisions of 44 villages with total families of 1098 total family
members are 3642, of gender aggregates 1761 males of 41% and 1881 females of 51%. In the age
group composition young adult age group 19 – 37 comprise 24.87% this is a very versatile group
economically active, willing to become as processors, home stead bee keepers to be the target for the
NTFPs enterprise development . The 51% is higher proportion of female many of them are with
secondary level educational backgrounds for the capacity building to be as lead persons to promote
the NTFPs entrepreneurships.
Table 1: Demographic profile
No. G.N Division
G.N.
Division
Number
No. of
Villages
No. of
Families
Total
Population
Male Female
1 Unchalkaddy 221 5 18 54 22 32
2 Vedivaithakal 221A 3 13 30 16 14
3 Maruthodai 221B 4 55 167 76 91
4 Olumadu 222B 7 271 924 446 478
5 Kulavisuddan 222D 11 192 620 309 311
6 Paranthan 223 4 237 818 389 429
7 Anantharpuliyankulam 223A 4 81 272 128 144
8 Nainamadu 223C 6 231 757 375 382
Total 44 1,098 3,642 1,761 1,881

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1.2 Land holding size of the sample families
Land ownership within the agrarian economy of the study area provides a major source of income,
which is an important natural asset that farmers have. The 3 major types of agricultural lands owned
by the HHs in the study area are paddy lands, and the high dry lands where vegetables and other field
crops can be grown and
the slash and burn lands,
where clearing small
patch of forest lands and
burning the cleared
jungle plants to deposit
the ash to the land get
fertile and growing rain
fed crops like millets and
vegetables for one
seasons harvest.
Tables show the paddy
land and the dry high
land distribution of
the sample HHs of the
study areas. It shows
the average land
holdings of Very rich,
rich, medium , poor
,very poor farmers
and landless
21%
3%
18%32%
26%
Chart 2: Number of Acres paddy land holding by
sample HHs
Landless 0.5 - 01 Acre 1 - 2 Acres
2 - 5 Acres 5 - 10 Acres
5%
40%
39%
16%
Chart 3: Size of High land holding by sample
households
0.5 -1 Acre 1-2 Acre 2-5 Acre 5-10 Acre
Unchalka
ddy
Vedivaith
akallu
Marutho
dai
Olumadu
Kulavisud
dan
Parantha
n
Ananthar
puliyanku
lam
Nainama
du
All ages 54 30 167 924 620 818 272 757
0 - 5 Years 10 3 16 173 71 111 29 121
6 - 12 Years 6 4 32 124 47 141 32 121
13 - 18 Years 5 3 19 112 79 139 32 103
19 -37 Years 14 6 39 262 156 159 84 186
38 - 60 Years 10 8 42 198 218 116 69 152
Over 60 9 6 19 55 49 152 26 74
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Chart 1: Population based on Age Group as at 31 Dec 2011

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respectively >10 Acres, 5-10 Acres, 2-5 Acres, 1-2 Acres and 0.5 – 1 Acre. There is high
percentage 21 % of families without the land for cultivation of paddy; most of those families
are displaced from the southern Sri Lanka due to the ethnic conflict of 1977. The larger extent
of paddy irrigated land and the high land owned by the rich families twice as large as that of medium
and nine times larger than that of poor farmers. Larger size of land owned by the rich farmers’ means
that they have higher potential to cultivate paddy and vegetable crops in higher acreage land. The
larger size dry high land owners was fortunate enough to had the opportunity to get a higher value
package of micro irrigation system under repayable loan system of Aus Aid, the value of the package
nearly 500,000, In the later stage Aus Aid was good enough to withdraw the loan system and the
beneficiaries were fortunate enough to have the package as grant.
2. Survey Methodology
As survey methodologies, the approaches of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid market
appraisal (RMA) as well as Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and semi structured interviews (SSI) are
applied to collect information at the study site and at the investigated market places. As the
preliminary step the community meetings and Focus Group discussions were organized in all the
GNDs and total of 108 participants were oriented with the objectives of the study, made them to come
out with their opinions and views on NTFPs interventions.
Sampling: Since too little organized information of NTFPs exist on the chain actors, growers,
collectors was known of the population beforehand , in order to allow for random sampling, use had
to be made of non probabilistic sampling methods. In this case a quota sampling method was used in
combination with the snow ball method. In order to meet the set targets of quota samples of each
GNDs the number of grower, collector. After having identified grower collector who fitted the criteria
for inclusion the grower was asked for information concerning other growers, collectors. An effort
was made as ecowalk to target the zones where fruit tree were likely to found together with HHs
intervened with fruits collection and selling. With all these efforts a total sample of 57 HHs were
interviewed with administration of a structured questionnaire. House hold visits enabled to observe
the livelihoods activities involved, visit the farm fields, home yards, to assess the living condition of
HHs, to meet the women members discuss about their willingness, interests, power relationships,
views and opinions on their future plans to involve in NTFPs activities.
Table 2: Sample population shared valid responses
Chain position of respondents : # of cases
No Location Growers/
Collectors
Processors Inter-me
diaries
Retailer/
Wholesalers
BDS
Providers
01 Nainamadu 10 0 01 02 0
02 Kulavisuddan 11 0 03 02 0
03 Olumadu 07 0 01 03 0
04 Anantharpuliyankulam 17 0 0 02 0
05 Paranthan 04 0 01 01 0
06 Maruthodai 05 0 02 01 0
08 Vedivaithakal 03 0 0 0 0
09 Vavuniya Urban 00 01 05 10 04
10 Jaffna 00 02 03 03 02
11 Dambulla 02
12 Colombo 02 01
Total 57 03 16 28 07
Grand Total 111

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Table 3: GNDs wise respondents
No GND Bee honey Fruits Fish Oil seeds
01 Kulavisuddan 4 4 3 1
02 Nainamadu 5 4 0 0
03 Olumadu 2 4 0 1
04 Paranthan 4 1 0 0
05 Unchalkaddy 2 1 0 0
06 Ananthapuliyankulam 7 10 0 0
07 Vedivaithakal 0 0 0 0
08 Maruthodai 3 2 0 0
09 Sub total 27 26 3 1
10 Total 57
2.0 House hold income from various sources
Agriculture
The overwhelming majority of the people live in the Nedunkerny Division are they engage in
agricultural related activities such as paddy, vegetable, fruits and dry grain cultivation. The agriculture
sector is the corner stone of the area’s economy; Farming is ubiquitous with more than 70% of the
population depending on agriculture.
The sample HHs (n=57)
income from the various
agriculture activities
cultivation of paddy, pulses,
other food grains, vegetables
are given in the chart. 35% of
the family’s annual income in
the range of 0.00 – 50000.00,
this low annual income
earning group will be of low
size land holders deprived of
irrigation water for the yala
paddy cultivation underground
water resource for the cultivation of vegetables in the dry high lands, relying on rain fed agricultural
activities. It’s misery to note that
many of the HHs in this similar
poverty traps not even thing to
involve in any of the NTFPs
activities as a safety net to get
freed out the poverty trap. Many
of the wealth group with stable
income is involved in extraction
of honey as a multifaceted
income earning approach. The
higher income earning group of
0 - 50,000
35%
50,000-
100,000
30%
100,000-
150,000
13%
> 150,000.00
22%
Chart 4: Households income from Agriculture
of the sample families
0
5
0 - 50,000 50,000 -
100,000
100,000 -
150,000
> 150,000
Chart 5: Households income from Domestic
Fruits - sample HHs
Income Range

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22% is of higher size land holders of both paddy and dry high lands engaged in both low land
seasonal paddy cultivation and high land vegetable cultivation.
Its common traditional practice for many generation growing perennial trees in the homestead .The
average size of the home garden were reported as 0.5 acre to 1.5 acres. Neem (Azardirachta indica) is
grown as dominant timber species in naturally with its adaptation ability to harsh conditions. Exotic
species namely as Teak (Tectona Grandis ) is grown by people in every home garden because of its
economic value. People prefer more on fruit tree species such as coconut (cocus nucifera), Mango
(Mangifera indica) and orange (citrus sinensis) than vegetables and timber species.
Cultivation of Fruits
An average annual income is earned from the perennial plants Rs 3000 per coconut trees and from
other fruit trees jak, mangoes; average annual
income is not less than 3000 to 5000. From
tamarind and wood apple is average of Rs
2000. In the data the income from the fruits
cultivated papaya for export market also
included. The sales value greater than
150000.00 denotes the income earned from the
export market gardening of papaya.
The development of the value chain of export market system in the study area is notable.
The papaya fruit cultivation is with the secured market under the buyback agreement of out grower
system with the Colombo based exporters C.D. Marketing System. Many of the respondents engaged
in citrus cultivation expressed their critical situation of marketing their fruit yields without harvesting
got rottened under the tree.
Sri Lankas per capita consumption of fruits and
vegetables are far below the recommended daily
intake. 200 grams of vegetables is the recommended
level, but the consumption level remains to 94 gms
per day. According to the Medical Research
Institutes (MRI) per capita consumption of fruits
should be 30 – 40 gms (edible portion) which is
equivalent to 25 – 40 kg of fresh fruit per year per
head. To achieve this moderate target, the production
of fruits to be increased to 995,712 tons assuming
20% waste. With the current trend of the economic
growth and the increase of income level of the people, there will be a parallel increasing in the
Picture 2: Papaya orchard with yields ready
for export packaging, Photo by: Vimal
Citrus tree blooming with yields in
Anantharpuliyankulam. Photo by: Vimal

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demand for the vegetables and fruits in the local market and the production to be increased to balance
the increasing demand. The opening up of the North and East, which are mainly agriculture producing
areas increases the potential to grow fruits and vegetables. (Federation of Sri Lanka Chambers of
commerce)
3. NTFPs Activities
For this study the NTFP is considered as: Non-Timber Forest Products: refers to a vast array of
goods and services of biological origin derived from the forest, other wooded land and trees outside
forests, including small wood and fuel wood.
In recent decades, NTFP have been viewed as a means of conserving, managing and
optimizing tropical forest ecosystems while providing economic benefits to local residents
(FAO, 2002; Dlamini, 2007)
The Study results show, that the high number of families and family members nearly 600, though
their main livelihoods activity is cultivation of paddy, as a diversified income source are associated in
extraction of honey, the volume of each family extraction of wild bee honey ranges from 100 to 300
bottles in the annual season, gross revenue realized as income ranges from Rs 30,000.00 to
Lower Plants
Woody
FOREST PRODUCTS
Non-timber
products esProducts
Fuel wood
Timber Products
Non – Wood
Poles Wood – Derived (Sponge, Charcoal, etc)
Flora Geological E.g. Clay, Chalk & Sand Fauna, Inland Fish, meat (Bush meat, Trophy, Skin,
etc)
From
 Mammals
 Reptiles
 Birds
 Insects
 Molluscs
 Fishes
 Amphibians
Higher Plants Mushrooms (fungi)
Tree parts
Herbs & GrassesShrubs
Similar to tree parts
Stems & Barks
 Latex, Gum, Resin,
Fiber, Wine, Dye,
Medicine
Leaves
 Vegetables,
Wrappers, Fibers,
Forage, Medicine
Flowers & Fruits
 Food, Oil, Spices,
Condiment, Fodder,
Fiber (e.g Kapok),
Honey,

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100,000.00. The income from the honey contributes to a higher share 19%, of the total income of the
sample HHs, Bee honey extraction is well integrated into the house hold cash income economy. The
higher contribution of steady income/profit margin from the extraction of wild bee honey to the HHs
of the community is due the involvement of high number of villagers in the wild bee honey collection
during the annual season. This fetches a higher price rate compare to the opportunity of labour in
other diversified livelihoods opportunities. However, the number of days could be involved in the bee
honey extraction is limited to 60 – 70 days as seasonal, thus, income level from combination of
NTFPs, other small holder agriculture activities generate more sustainable income for food and
livelihoods security.
Nearly 26 families of the respondents (n=57) are involved in other NTFPs collections such as wild
fruits contribute around 2% of the total income of the sample HHs. 3 households (Agriculture asset
poor) respondents are involved in the inland fishing as their key livelihoods activity, earn an average
monthly income of 15000.00/month, 2% of the total sample HHs income, here also the fishing in the
seasonal tanks is limited to maximum of five to six months in a year.
The findings of the market survey of selected NTFPs reveal that the different options for the
households to benefit from NTFPs. 2 women out of the 23 HHs involved in fruit collection are
engaged in the cottage level processing tamarind as a value addition activity , collection, de- husking,
de-seeding, pulping, solar drying to
remove the water to paste form and
selling in the local market seedless nett
edible tamarind paste. Earning Rs
16200.00 as monthly income. This
income is hard earned with very low
profit margin. Here the pricing factor is
determined by the local market demand;
the processer is selling the grade 1
product having the urban market value of
more than Rs 350 to 400 per kilo is sold
to Rs160 at Nedunkerny market. In the
locality, the purchase of tamarind is very
low; major portion of the individual HHs
consumption of tamarind is managed from
the collection of tamarind from their own
trees of homesteads or in the fallow lands.
Tamarind trees are widely distributed in
the areas with high yielding capacities
with promising viabilities to establish rural collection centers leads to the sustainable harvesting and
commercialization initiatives in the urban markets with good demand for Grade 1 tamarind product
market value and the utility rate is high in the urban market.
As conclusion, useful NTFPs to improve household livelihoods and mitigate poverty are 1) bee
honey, 2) tamarind, 3) inland fish, 4) wild and domestic fruits, 5) Medicinal Plants, its assumed
that within the high diversity of plant species of NFR will consist plants with potential medicinal
value (ICUN Bio diversity assessment of NFR 2013), if production, processing and trade of these
products are improved as well as consistent strategies for in particular poor households are developed.
It is crucial, however, that farmers become more familiar with the market mechanisms and the
sustainable resource management in order to benefit from NTFP activities in the long run. This
requires further improvements of the legal framework and its implementation as well as transparent
and purposeful application of state programmes to enhance the livelihoods of the poor and to conserve
natural resources.
40%
5%
2%
18%
35%
Chart 6: Annual income by
Agriculture, NTFPs and other sources
Agriculture Inland Fish Wild Fruits
Bee Honey Domestic Fruits

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3.0 Discussions and results from community participation
The data were collected by using systematic random sampling method and PRA tools. Within the
many identified NTFPs in the area 5 NTFPs are ranked for their subsistence and commercial value.
Commercial Value means: Those are the Key characteristics of the NTFPs that will lead to
successful outcomes.
On the Basis of the responses of the sample populations and the various stakeholders participated
during the community meetings, stake holder discussions, HHs level structured interviews,
participants were brainstormed, and survey questions were asked to prioritize the NTFPs.
Participatory ranking exercises were organized by the Women Rural Development societies
(WRDSs). High number of participation of male and female from the economically active age group
of 19-37, much reflections were observed on their preferences were more inclined towards food
processing entrepreneurship development initiatives where more opportunities for the creation of jobs.
Honey bee earned high score and ranked as the first option in both exercises, in every aspects the wild
bee honey extraction become as first choice of the NTFPs of the community involvement and the
interaction, as become accustomed socially
economically as a traditional and steady income
earning activity of the house hold. Inland fish and
tamarind captured the next level, though their
contribution to the household is more as noncash
income with the cash income contribution
respectively 5% and 2% only. Palmyra has not
claimed much prominence; the tree population is
limited to only one village of Maruthodai there was
no beforehand information even with the Palmyra
Development board, there are 200 palmayra
dependent families the toddy tappers in the whole
division of Vavuniya North. According to the District Cordinator, Palmayra Delopment Board
Vavuniya District, in the Mullaitivu District, Oddusuddan Division, Sewa Lanka Foundation
implementing projects for the development of the sector. In Nedunkerny Division Sewa lanka
supported for the training on handicraft, for 13 beneficiaries of Marailluppai (this village is not
coming under our study area) in the end of the training, they were provided with tools to start up with
the income generation initiatives 8 out of the 13 trained are active in cottage level handicraft activities
and finding problem for the marketing their products. Their products are seen displayed in the
Vavuniya Katpakam sales centre. One of the respondents from Nainamadu Village a female of the
interviewed during the study showed income of Rs 3000 from the sale of boiled Palmyra tubers this is
the only response we came across in the activity related to Palmyra. In oil seeds and wood apple the
situation is similar responses limited to single individuals.
Villager’s participation in the NTFPs assessment
process. Picture by: Parthy

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3.1 Selection Criteria used:
1. Ease of production
• Availability in forest and/ or home garden at
the village
• Regeneration ability,
• Usefulness for the daily life,
• Seasonality, seasonal stresses, restrictions
2. Market Demand
• Is there strong market demand?
• Is demand based on season or festival? And
does that fall into the intended production
phase?
• Is the demand for high volume or a niche market?
• Are there many buyers or only few?
3. Financial cost of production
• Does the production require a high investment?
• Is credit required for this production?
4. Social
• Does the product have any special social significance? Is the product subject to any taboos?
5. Environment
• Does the production come with any hazards or potential harm to the environment?
6. Processing /Post harvest/Storage
• Is the product to be stored? Is the technology available for storage?
• How long can be the product be stored if the market is changed
• The technology and the know-how exist to produce?
3.2 NTFPS Identified
 Bee honey
 Fresh water fish
 Fruits
 Wild: – Tamarind, Wood apple, Palu, Weerai, Murali, Uluvinthan,
Fruits of Homesteads and wooded Lots: – Palmayrah,Mango, lime, orange, papaya
 Plants, Herbs and shrubs of Indigenous medicinal value
Villager’s participation in the NTFPs
assessment process. Picture by: Parthy

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3.3 Selection of economically important NTFPs
Table 4: Preference ranking
No
Species/Products
Market
demand
Profit
Margin
Availability
Timespent
Regeneratio
nability
Contribution
toincome
Employmen
tcreation
Usefor
dailylife
Score
Rank
1 Wild bee honey 5 5 4 2 2 5 3 3 29 1
2 Medicinal Plants 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 20 5
3 Tamarind 4 3 4 2 3 3 3 3 25 3
4 Inland Fish 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 27 2
5 Wood apple 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 12 9
6 Domestic fruits 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 24 4
7 Wild fruits 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 14 7
8 Palmayrah 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 13 8
9 Oil seeds 2 1 2 2 3 2 2 3 17 6
Table 5: Pair wise Ranking
BeeHoney
Medicinal
Plants
Tamarind
InlandFish
Woodapple
Domestic
fruits
Wildfruits
Palmyra
Oilseeds
Bee Honey Bee
Honey
Bee
Honey
Bee
Honey
Bee
Honey
Bee
Honey
Bee Honey Bee
Honey
Bee Honey
Medicinal
Plants
x x Tamarind Inland
fish
Medicinal
Plants
Domestic
fruits
Medicinal
Plants
Medicinal
Plants
Medicinal
Plants
Tamarind x x x Inland
Fish
Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind
Inland Fish x x x x Inland
Fish
Inland
Fish
Inland
Fish
Inland Fish Inland Fish
Wood apple x x x x x Domestic
fruits
Wood
apple
Palmayrah Oil seeds
Domestic
fruits
x x x x x x Wild fruits Domestic
fruits
Domestic
fruits
Wild fruits x Wild fruits Wild fruits
Palmayrah x x x x x x x x Palmayrah
Oil seeds x x x x x x x x x
Score 8 5 6 7 1 3 3 2 1
Rank 1 4 3 2 8 5 5 7 8
4. Non Timber
Forest Product Analysis
4.0 Wild Bee Honey
Nainamadu forest reserve is
endowed with forests and
woodlands contain diverse
flowering plants plant species of
322(IUCN report on NFR 2013)
that provide surplus nectar and pollen to foraging bees, own big honey production potential.
The study reveals more than 65% of the HHs of the study area of 8 GNDs are active in bee honey
gathering. Wild bee honey gathering in Nainamdu forest area has been a practice for many
7% 9%
14%
30%
40%
Chart 7: Respondent by age group of honey
extractors
20 -27 28 - 35 36 - 43 44 - 50 <50

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generations. The wild honey gatherers recalled that their parents in the early 1950s and even before
had been doing the same trade, while 7% of them had been engaged in this kind of work for 6 to 10
years. High number of (40% of age >50) of the wild honey gatherers had been in this trade for more
than 20 years already.
Based on the interview with the honey gatherers, the Wild bee honey gathering was not their main
source of income. Majority of them indicated that they engaged in this activity to augment their
family income. The survey showed that more than 70 % of them considered farming as their main
source of livelihood while the rest (30%) were engaged in inland fishing and low skilled work such as
food vending, carpentry, masonry,
seasonal farm workers and laborers.
Seasonality of Bee Colony and
Honey Harvest
Honey bees are in evidence in the area
from the month of March to October.
However, the peak season occurs
during in the months of June to August
where about 65% of the villagers
harvest honey. For households, these
honey harvesting seasonal months
coincide with the free time after the Maha seasonal paddy cultivation activities, It’s a common
practice they skip the yala cultivation because sustain the cultivation without irrigation facilities is
impossible and the time when they experience shortage of income for their household expenses and
they supplement their needs by engaging in honeybee livelihood activities. 25 respondents
interviewed were involved in the wild bee honey collection, the average days of bee honey collections
range from 60 – 75 days. Most of them are illiterates were unable to come out with proper past inflow
and outflow expenditure pattern, were made to approximate from the recent days inflow and out
flows. The volume of collection of honey is recorded in the chart 8.
The wild bee honey gatherers day starts at dawn before 6 a.m. They roam the surrounding forests the
whole day and return to their communities in the late afternoon with their honey harvests. During the
peak months, the honey gatherers reach many parts of these forests where they look for hives to
harvest.
Experienced honey gatherers have acquired the indigenous knowledge and skills in tracking wild
honey hives. They use plants that bees forage upon early in the morning to guide them in locating the
direction of bee hives as well as estimate the distance that they need to cover to look for them. Most
of them know which type of trees the hives can often be found. Years of doing this trade has also
given them skills in visually identifying which hives are full of honey and which ones are already
wasted.
Whenever the gatherers spot a hive, they produce smoke to drive away the wild bees by lighting a
torch consisting of young coconut leaves mixed with dried leaves. Thereafter, a member will climb
the tree and approach the hive, bringing the smoking torch to further drive the wild bees, cut the head
of the hive and lower it down to the other team members who wait on the ground. They gather the
honey and destroy or leave the honeycomb behind. Then they proceed to look for another hive and do
the same procedure until all their containers are full or until they decide to go back to their home .
17%
52%
31%
Chart 8 :Volume of wild Honey Extractered
by the respondents interviewed in % of 2012
seasonal
100> Bottle 100 -200 Bottle 200 -300 Bottle

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The gatherers harvest honey only from hives which are full. A big hive can store up to 15 to 20 bottles
of honey. Each 10 bottle has an estimated one kilo of beeswax which they leave behind as they see no
income from it or they don’t know anyone who buys them. They practice collective gathering and
sharing of benefits from forest products. Apart from strong social cohesiveness, this practice helps to
minimize risks when entering the forest and increases efficiency by promoting a specialization of
tasks within the group.
The data in the above chart reveals that the respondents were able to harvest at least 100 bottles as
individual share in a season. In the case of higher volume harvest where the total members in the
household men and women join and unite as a honey gathering group and more time roaming in the
forests, locating a safe and secure place with availability of water for cooking (women’s
responsibility) and drinking spent nearly 60 – 75 days covering the annual season were those who
harvested more than 100 to maximum of 300 of bottles in a season; eventually the total harvest goes
as sole of the house hold. In the 8 GNDs of Vavuniya north nearly 65% that’s approximately 600
gatherers involve in the wild bee honey gathering during the annual season and the annual average
harvest of wild bee honey is estimated as 6000 bottles (750ml). The selling price ranges from Rs
250/= to 400/=. According to the current study, it provides an average employment of only 60-75 man
days per year. Therefore they depend on multiple sectors for their income and employment.
Marketing of Honey
A large base of Nainamadu village population are engaged in the collection of wild honey ,from the
Nainamadu forest reserve but in the absence of a processing facility, honey collectors are forced to
sell the honey unprocessed as raw at throw away prices and unable to realize the optimum value since
unprocessed raw honey has marginal market value. That people most likely to be involved in NTFP
use (namely rural communities) have very limited access to technology. As such, it is likely that they
will end up selling the NTFP in a relatively 'raw' state to an intermediary who will then end up selling
it to an assembler. The profit margin increases the further up the chain you go and the harvester would
thus realise the least profit margin.
Marketing Constraints
Honey gatherers living in or near to forest, or working in other remote and poor areas are likely to
encounter many constraints when it comes to finding a market for their products. These constraints
are likely to include some of the following:
 Lack of access to suitable containers for storing, transporting and marketing honey.
 Poor diversity of retail packaging materials always using recycled arrack bottles.
 Lack of transport.
 Lack of communication possibilities.
 Lack of bargaining power.
 Lack of organizational support.
 Lack of training and technical advice, the honey is extracted under very difficult circumstances of
unhygienic environment likelihoods to get contaminated with extraneous materials and of high
moisture content.
 Poor market access.
Issues faced by traders
In turn, traders who deal in honey (or beeswax) find it difficult to buy from a scattered population of
small-scale producers. These are the constraints typically faced by traders:
 Lack of access to products of sufficient quality.
 Turbidity, dense dark and cloudy, Particulate contamination in the bottled honey,

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 Contains extraneous materials, wax flakes, bee parts, soot, and plant materials.
 Poor diversity of retail packaging materials. Lack of access to products of sufficient quantity
in uniform packing.
 No linkages between producers and buyers.
 Lack of access to, or non-availability of credit.
 Different buyers having differing quality and quantity requirements.
Honey retailers in cities are often hesitant to pay cash on delivery: traders providing honey for retail
sale must wait until their honey is sold before they receive payment. This explains why traders sell
honey where they can - even though the price paid is low, immediate payment can be essential for
resource-poor sellers.
Grades and Value of Honey Sold in the Markets
Low Value Packages
The product of this segment is from the local honey hunters, no proper processing, raw direct from the
forest dark and cloudy with particulates and no uniformity in the volume or the size of the container,
packed in recycled glass bottles of 750 ml, 250 ml, 100 ml – 50 ml price from Rs 1000 – 50,
consumption of medicinal and religious purpose. The sales out lets are pharmaceuticals and fruit stalls
within the public market complex. In the interview with dominant whole seller of Honey, no more
stock of wild honey of local produce and waiting for the forth coming seasonal harvest. His trade is
maintaining an annual sales of 2000 bottles (750 ml) . According to his turn over pattern there is a
growing demand for local honey and seen there are no competition between import honey and locally
produced honey if it is maintained the quality of the local bee honey is clearly filtered and without
any of adulterations.
High Value Packages
All the honey bottles show cased in the shop doors of super markets are imported; those are
processed through a very hygienic value addition process cycle. It should pack in air tight
containers and perfectly capped to arrest post process contamination. The products are very
clear with labels displaying the source of origin, shelf life etc, and user friendly package of
squeeze type. The marketers were bit reluctant to share the datas of sales volume, might be of
business secret and competitions, but it has pointed out by them the sales of imported honey
is very to compare with local honey. Still honey is not considered as health food item , the
local consumers are not keen or donot have the attitude to use honey as an ingredient in food
preparation.The honey is with a niche market of sales to the religious temple festival
purposes and medicinal usages only, and having less valued as a food product.
Table 6: Honey grades in the market
Source of Origin Volume Price Sales out let
01 Imported from Thailand packed by
Local agents Edinborough food
processers Ltd
500 ml 655.00 Vavuniya MPCS
Local Packers Edinborough FP Ltd
Local agent Edinborough FP Ltd
04 Australian 500 ml 620.00 Cargills Food City,
Vavuniya
05 Darbur India 100ml 225.00 Cargills Food City
06 Darbur India 50ml 115.00 Cargills Food City

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Wild Bee honey Cost Analysis
The survey was conducted during the off season of honey collection and was not conducive to
conduct any experimentation, on the cost of putting a unit (bottle) of drained honey on the market; the
farm gate price of a bottle of honey varies (250 – 450) from one collector to another and within each
village. This variation could be attributable to the conversion ratio, locational difference, type and
form of raw material. Quantity of raw material (comb and partially drained honey) used and quantity
of final product (drained honey) obtained by the extractor/producer were to be used to arrive at the
mean conversion ratio and the cost per bottle of raw material. The conversion ratio of comb honey is
not constant and depends on the storage of honey in the comb and processing techniques used
The extraction process involves always a collective approach as groups, the extraction and the
individual share is portioned in the jungles without any of the proper measurements tools, just
randomly on volumetric, what is the container in hand is used as the tool for the portioning of equal
share, based on traditional social / cultural norms, everyone is expected to return home with his/her
equal share. The price of a bottle of drained honey to be determined by an experimentation of accurate
measurements of the raw materials and the out puts based on a marketing approach. The economic
value of bee wax is not realized, goes as a reject thrown out in the jungles. For every 10 bottles of
honey 1kg of bee wax too harvested. The current market value of a kg of bee wax is Rs 800.00-
1200.00
By their empirical experiences of honey collectors, an average recovery is 65% drained honey from
the non extracted comb. The conversion ratio for partially drained fluid honey depends on the quantity
of debris that it contains.

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Chart 9: Honey supply chain
The cost of the raw material depends on the form of the products and location and the time spent (cost
of labour) in the extraction. By the extractor’s empirical experiences, an average of 3 man days spent
for the collection of 10 bottles of honey. Cost of extraction is to be calculated at the rate of Rs 300 per
bottle. It’s evident that in certain extent honey is sold without any margin for their hard earnings. The
poor producers are not “price setters” their distress situation compelled them to accept low value just
as, “price takers”.It’s very evident that the local extractors have little say in changing the NTFP
market since regulation is largely out of their hands .Prices, market opportunities, and value additions
are regulated or performed by a string of intermediaries which forces local extractors to remain at the
least profitable and most vulnerable level of production, provision of raw material. When the value of
production accrues to intermediaries, extractives remain poor regardless of the amount of wealth they
generate. Improved supply chain without much layer of intermediaries is the answer for these
constraints is described in the following chapter.
Price determinant factors
 Remoteness, lack of transport,
Lack of market information 40%
 Producers accepting lower price
because of the emerging needs-
30%
 Lack of proper processing, storage
facilities, finance constraints for
the procurement of Jerry cans,
quality packaging materials-20%
 Demanding for higher price with
their own confidence on the
quality and source of origin and
with financial capacity to store
until they reach higher demand -
10%
NFR Wild Bee Honey Supply Chain (Conventional)
Direct Buyers’
(Friends, Relatives,
neighbors)
NRF, Bee Honey
Extractors
Intermediaries
Rs 250- 400/=
Urban whole sellers
/Distributors,
Rs 500- 600/=
Retail outlets
Rs 700-800
Consumers
Rs 800 -1000/=
Rs 450 -500
PriceSpreadinthesupplyChain

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Homestead Bee keeping in the study areas
Homestead bee keeping is recently introduced in 5 GNDs. 54 HHs are provided with newly improved
top bar hives and the tools, one adult member mixed male and female from each HHs is trained in bee
keeping and motivated by organizing them to a study visit and exposure to a bee keeping village in
Dambulla. The respondents are highly enthusiastic with services rendered by the SLF.The
respondents mentioned a wide range of accessories, prices and services periods that goes hand in hand
with beekeeping practices. 6 volunteers of Sewalanka Foundations are having close linkages with the
bee keepers to attend to their extension service needs then and there.
The survey period was during the risk of heavy raining and flooding the feed sources (bee flora) were
affected because of which the honey bee cannot get nectar and pollen. Therefore, the honeybee colony
absconds to areas where resources are available for their survival. During the visit boxes of 3 HHs
were seen empty without colony.
The project is in it start up stage, It’s in the buildup period and able to gauge the inside developments
of 3 or 4 hives, it was able to observe the increase in the rearing of brood and the pollen and nectar
storage in the bars of the hives through the observation mirror , also was able to measure the progress
of the project , the willingness and the interests shown by the respondents in the management of the
colony, seen as future hopes.
Constraints for the industry as a whole
For reasons touched upon in the above paragraphs on constraints in marketing, apiculture as a sector
tends to be poorly recognized and with little lobbying power. The producers are likely to be amongst
the most remote and most poor people, and the apiculture sector is not easily identifiable or
recognizable. These are some of the reasons and consequences validated in the Focus group
discussion and Key informant Interviews with the Gatherers, home stead bee keepers, Traders and
Consumers.
 Availability of bee hives, there is no any bee hive fabrication, repairing, trading systems
beyond Matale, these services are out of reach for the rural people.
 Because of the shortage of bee hive boxes, high number of traditional wild honey bee hunters
left out of the Home stead honey bee rearing, their skills and knowledge on queen bee
hunting, bee rearing is untapped.
 Lack of appropriate extension material.
 Lack of appropriate marketing information.
 Lack of strong organizations representing the interests of beekeepers.
 Poor linkages between producers and buyers.
 Lack of connectivity to the lucrative urban market, lack of transport facilities.
 Little coordination between beekeeping and other sectors, including the horticulture, forestry,
health, and environment sectors.
 Little or no product promotion.
 No national or global agreement on honey criteria.
 For all of the above reasons, beekeepers and honey hunters can gain much by forming
groups or cooperatives.

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Conclusions
The following are the conclusions on bee honey of the study: Wild bee honey gathering is a long time
trade practiced by the rural poor living along the forest-edge in order to augment their family income.
The amount brought about by wild honey harvesting comprised almost one third to fifth of their total
annual income which can substantially help defray their living costs. Further marketing development
of wild honey may add to their income potential. Organized gatherers link the importance of
protecting the forest and the wild honey bees (WHBs).
 The honey and wax extraction is undertaken by a wide range of NTFPs users of NFR.
 A Large but unknown amount of bee honey are removed outside during the season. Due to lack of
connectivity to more lucrative markets at provincial, national or global levels. As a result,
incentives remain weak, investments remain low, and so does the level of technology adoption
and productivity, resulting into a low level equilibrium poverty trap.
 The economic value of the bee wax not realized goes as a reject, thrown out in the jungles.
Majority of the respondents and the villagers participated in the survey are keen to become as bee
keepers as a livelihoods activity to earn a diversified income, youths with the capacity to gather
vocational skill to get engaged in income generation activities as bee keepers, hive makers. These
potential resources to be tapped by making them to involve in appropriate lines of apiary.
Recommendations
Immediate actions to be taken up to establish a workshop with required machineries to be equipped
for the commencement of the rapid fabrication of Bee hive boxes. The bee hives to be distributed to
the wild bee honey hunters to get engaged in eco-friendly sustainable bee honey production by non
destructive home stead bee rearing practices.
Two instruments appear critical to break this deadlock for the small holders marketing: one is physical
infrastructure such as information technology, roads, transport etc. that connects smallholders to
markets; and the other is the role of accompanying institutions that can reduce the marketing risk and
transaction costs in the process of exchange between producers and consumers.
Smallholders, due to their small surpluses in production, generally are exposed to higher degree of
risk and transaction costs. So any innovative institutions that link ‘farms to markets’, reduce their
transaction costs and minimize risk will help them to participate in markets.
Current initiatives to this effect, linking honey collectors to market, are notable, dialog with certain
organization with strong supply chain and with Cooperate Social Responsibility to uplifting small
holders.
1) The Cargills Food City
2) Saaraketha Holdings
3) Rasiah Pharmaceuticals of Vavuniya.
These are some of the Region and Nationwide big retail houses / Wholesale distributors /exporters
act as aggregators of demand, buffering manufacturers from small orders and logistics complexity. As
consolidators, they represent multiple, sometimes competing suppliers, placing the manufacturer’s
inventory closer to consumption for faster delivery,

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Chart 10:
Infrastructure for Quality production:
Multiplier effects: In many societies honey is not a highly visible commodity. Better quality honey,
presented in attractive containers for sale will stimulate local trade and this in turn leads to an increase
of beekeeping activities.
A modern honey processing plant with quality control functions and capabilities to produce refined,
high quality product is an imperative requirement in the area. It would position the Nainamadu as a
key honey processing center and would assist in realization of higher value margins for the final
product. It would also enable Nainamadu to increase its share in the lucrative market.
The New Improved Honey Value chain and the proposed price spread
30.76
%
This margin is slightly high could
be reduced to 25%
The cost to be analyzed, with an
experimentation to determine the recovery
rates, must be particular on extractor’s
margin not be reduced in an ecological
perspectives, motivation factor for the
conservation, non destructive approaches
Honey Extractors
Cluster Collection
centre
Processing unit
Super market
chain/Retail House
Consumer
Rs500/=
500
Rs550/=
550
Rs650/=
6650650/=
650
Logistics, ware house labour
charges
Processing cost + Over heads
Rs 850/=
Logistics, ware house labour charges,
commissions tax
41.17%
10%
18.18%
Rs
650

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Ecological tourism industry: Another potential for wild honey gathering is the idea that it can be
linked to the ecological tourism industry. In other Asian countries such as Bangaladesh, India,
Indonesia, Cambodia traditional wild honey gathering has been packaged as an ecological tourism
activity (Kevan 1995). Tourists will join the team as they roam the forest and harvest hives thereby
earning additional income as tour guides and other community services that can be offered.
Potential Intervention for the Development of Honey Value Chain
Factor Potential intervention
1
Organizing cluster level
producer groups
1. Community meetings to get oriented with the objectives
2. Targeting: Identification of most vulnerable deserves
external support for the improvement of their livelihoods.
 Priority be given for the HHs exists in the NTFPs.
 HHs deprived of land for agriculture nearly 20% are in
this category of 8GNDs
 Economically active age group of 19 – 37, exploring job
opportunities 27% most of the young adult women with
basic educational backgrounds.
 Women headed households nearly 27%
 Relying on wage labour, with meager earnings need
alternate income opportunities more than 35%
2
Participatory monitoring and
Sustainable harvesting
Organizing forest user groups ,
 Strengthening joint management system by series of
trainings on sustainable honey harvesting practices.
 Mobilizing and sensitizing on non destructive extraction
process.
 Look into the viability have a data system, monitoring of
seasonal harvesting, to have records on the distribution of
bee host trees and the extractors HHs details to check the
harvesting approaches impacts,
 Develop a transition system keeping logs or hives closer to
the host trees, to have the honey bee colony to rear in the
homestead bee hives.
 Raising awareness to the community on the overall situation
of their natural resources on which their enterprise is based
and are involved in monitoring them, make them to develop
a greater sense of involving in the project and a deeper
understanding of issues surrounding natural resource
sustainability.
3
Trainings and capacity
buildings
Training needs assessments.
 Investigations on Willingness and dedications, area of
interests, family backgrounds, prior skills and experiences,
educational background.
4
Establish and strengthen
Linkages with Training
institutions and knowledge
providers.
1. Agriculture department Gannoruwa for Apiculture.
2. Chamber of commerce for business promotion,
marketing, finance management.
3. Dept of Agri: Organic agriculture practices.
4. DOF; Joint forest management

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5
Organizing rural collection
centers.
 Need based creation of basic marketing infrastructure like
weighing machine, quality control equipments and storage
space etc. at the cluster level facilitates engagement of poor
in the collection of NTFPs and follows up with primary
processing.
 Mobilize the extractors towards sustainable harvesting by
providing Extraction kits, containers, robe ladders, overalls
and helmets (Mask).
6
Organizational structure  Decide on the governance of the collection centers
 Organizing the management body.
 Assigning responsibilities based on incentives
 Organizing the procurements of honey comb, staff is to be
well trained in the determination of price billing and
payments system according to the quality and quantity
parameters.
7
Pre processing  Staffs dealing in the processing are to be trained in HACCP
to maintain high sanitation standards in every steps of the
processing.
8
Transport and logistics  To ensure availability of raw material in right time, the right
quantity and the right quality, Inbound transport system
linking the collection areas to collection centers and to the
processing unit must be there,
 During the transport of bee honey products commodities
high sanitary practices to be maintained. Lidded containers
of food grade stainless steel should be utilized.
9
Packaging  Cleaned and sterilized bottles to be of uniform size are
tamper proof are to be utilized for packaging.
 Well descriptive labels to the current market trend are to be
designed and printed, the package itself to sell the product.
 Shelf life of the product to be determined very scientifically
based on the moisture content and the hygienic standards
maintained during extraction of honey and the consequent
processing operation and ultimately how the honey is sealed
in the sterile condition and steps taken to prolong the
keeping quality.
10
Marketing  Before entering the product in the market, market
acceptability of the product must be gauged by supplying
the samples to the marketing agencies.
 What do potential buyers judge our products, what might
make it more attractive, what the price in return we will get,
what the share goes to distributors.
11
Negotiation with marketing
agencies and follow ups
 Initial negotiation to come to a viable agreement is there
with Cargills Food City super market chain. Final terms to
be discussed and agreed upon with their sales commission
basis.
 The proposed price spread of bee honey (Page 23) is worked
out with the standard marketing system of cargills. The

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commission will be of 25- 30%
 Saarakketha Holdings had already taken initiatives to show
case the Nainamadu bee honey in International markets,
further negotiation with the sample to catalyze the product
development and International market promotion to be
followed up with Saarakketha Holdings.
12
Establishment of a workshop
for the commencement of
fabrication of bee hive boxes.
 The unavailability of bee hives is a big concern raised by the
bee keepers. There is no any manufacturing or repair unit is
beyond Matale. The urgency of a bee hive making unit in
the close proximity of the bee rearers well recognized and
taken up.
 Nainamadu is identified as the centralized and suitable place
to locate the work shop.
 Keep a target, number of hives, time frame, additional 200
HHs to be selected, hives to be distributed. A target may be
of 3-5: Hives per HHs based on the family size. To attain
the production level of 60-100 bottles per year, to earn
30,000.00 to 40,000.00 as annual earnings from bee
keeping.
 Capacity of the processing unit to be planned and expanded
to accommodate the additional production.
 HHs with economically active age group of 19-37 expressed
more willingness to engage in bee keeping.
 Not distributing the hives alone it should be of
comprehensive package. The hive with the colony and
training on colony management practices, also extension
officers Vs beekeepers ratio to be retained.
13
Commercialization of bee
wax
 Commercial value of bee wax is not recognized. just thrown
out in the jungle. For every 10 bottles of honey 1 kg of bee
wax is extracted. It has a market value of 850.00 to 1000.00
per kg in the rural markets but very high in the urban market
for its pharmaceutical value. Nearly 510,000.00 Rupees
worth of wax is worsted annually.
 All the wild bee honey hunters to be made well aware about
commercial value of the bee wax, they must be motivated
with proper extraction process, separation of the comb
without impacting the future sustenance of the bee colony.
 There should be a transparent valuation and payment
process in place to have the clear understanding of the value
of the extracted honey and the value of the byproduct the
bee wax.
14
Establishment of a
Manufacturing unit for bee
wax pharmaceutical and
allied products
Proper equipments and utensils for the manufacture of bee
wax products to be procured and equipped in the collection
unit and the necessary arrangements to be made for the
commencement of the productions.
4.1 Tamarind
During the eco-walk In the villages of Anantharpuliankulam and Kulavisuddan GN Divisions the
tamarind trees are found apparently in every homesteads, wild in the jungle, on the sites of the roads,

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along the water streams, tamarind is widely spread not less than 5 trees per1 km, and grown as a
subsistence crop for meeting local demands. It is also grown commercially. It is very conspicuous in
the dry regions, every village having several, and an often magnificent specimen the trees of girth
sizes > 300 cms. Producing an annual fruit yield in the range of more than 500 kg/tree. The
participatory yield assessment reveals that the total annual harvest in the 2 GNDs Kulavisuddan and
Anantharpuliyankulam will be approximately 220 tons (Participatory Inventory methodology and the
data sheets are in the Annex 7).
Yield analysis Partial destructive sampling of tamarind tree
Female members of HH collect raw tamarind from their own trees or from the common areas. The
male members of the collector family climb up the tree, and either shake the branches or beat them
using a long stick. The fruits thus falling on the ground are collected by women and children of the
family. If tamarind fruits are dried on the tree, de-shelling (removing the shell from pulp) is done
immediately on ground by pressing with fingers or by beating with a small stick. If tamarind fruit are
not dried, 1 day sundry is given and then de-shelling is done.Mainly three types of functions are
performed at the village level for selling tamarind to the traders. These are, harvesting, sun drying and
de-shelling of the collected tamarind. Selling price of tamarind depends on the selling pattern.
Generally three types of selling pattern have been observed. People sell tamarind more on weight
basis a bag full of pods normally weighs 40 kgs. The traders/intermediaries come directly to the
village and collect tamarind from each household. Although the price is not fixed all the time, it
mostly depends on the seasonal harvest of the crop, in the area and surroundings.
Second process is leasing the entire tree to the village level trader/intermediary, which also happens to
be the most frequently practiced pattern of sale. After seeing the crop, the trader decides the price of
the crop. A full grown tree produces around 5 – 6 of minmum (40 kgs ) bags full of pods. It was found
that villagers prefer to sell the entire tree to the trader to get a lump sum amount at a time. For the
following reasons, they sell the fruits while in the plant. Harvesting of fruits is very physically
strenuous as considered by community. The community has lack of knowledge on market dynamics.
In this process the entire cost of harvesting, de-shelling and packing is borne by the trader.
The fruiting season generally runs from April to Aug. The tree owners /Farmers mostly sell bagful of
tamarind 40kg for Rs 800 (as at March 2013) to rural assemblers/intermediaries who are often, but not
always, employed on a commission basis by traders who also act as transporters. These traders are
the market actors, who deal with the wholesalers of the area.
Tamarind is marketed in the grades as follows
 Grade 1: de-husked, deseeded and processed dehydrated in the form of paste 160.00 (not the
market value, at this rate a women producer selling her tamarind paste at Nedunkerny at her
own petty trading shop)
 Grade 2:de-husked and with seeds and no fibres kg 70.00
 Grade 3: de-husked, with seed and fibres 65.00
 Grade 4: as raw pods, price Rs 800 of 40 kg bags. Rs 20/kg

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Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Interview Informants (KII) with 4 whole sale and retail
tamarind traders of Vavuniya market validates that the quantity of tamarind that enters their marketing
chain is approximately 100 – 120 tonnes per annum as semi processed of grade 2. Buying price is Rs
80.00 the day’s market value as 20th
march, 2013. Selling price of the same grade 2 tamarind at Coop
super market and Venkateshwara super market is 120.00 as 20th
of March, 2013
More than 60 % of the tamarind requirement of Vavuniya District is traded from the out district
Markets of Dam bulla and Kekirawa. It could be ascertained as 100 – 120 tons of tamarind is the
annual demand of Vavuniya Market is supplied by the out District supplies of tamarind in the semi
processed Grade 2 form.
During the household survey in the study area of
Kulavisuddan and Nainamadu GNDs were able to
observe women are involved in processing of
tamarind paste. The process is very labor intensive
and a lengthy process involves, de shelling,
destalking, and soaking the fruits for overnight
further de seeded by extracting the pulp manually
by hand and sun drying for more than 5 days to get dried to rubbery form. From 5 kgs of tamarind
pods 1 kg of dried paste is obtained.
The above photo shows: a women respondent of Kulavisuddan GNDs is involved in cottage level
tamarind paste production, drying the tamarind pods to ready for further processing
Constraints in the Marketing
 The major constraint to increasing the welfare of NTFPs smallholders is their inability to access
markets.
 Remoteness results in reduced farm-gate prices, returns to labour and capital, and increased input
and transaction costs.
 This, in turn, reduces incentives to participate in economic transactions and results in subsistence
rather than market-oriented production systems.
 Sparsely populated rural areas, and high transport costs are physical barriers to accessing markets;
lack of negotiating skills, lack of collective organizations and lack of market information are other
impediments to market access
Capability
 Low scale (seasonal) of production never allows poor to fetch market price
 Distress sales due to pressure of immediate cash needs
 Lack skills to respond to market led standards
 Lack knowledge on secondary processing and value addition
 Lack of market awareness and interaction limited to village level traders
 Lack of coping mechanism for price fluctuation
 Lack of infrastructure for primary processing like drying, cleaning, packaging, weighing scale
etc.
 Poor storage and transport facilities Lack of appropriate technology for value addition

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Conclusion
Moving through a higher order of complexities
 Moving through a higher order of complexities would ready poor to graduate to start
collective enterprises.
 This phase would require greater understanding of the secondary processing and value
addition and would allow seamless vertical movement for a range of production. e.g.
Raw Tamarind Seedless Tamarind Tamarind paste
Potential Intervention for the Value Chain Development of Tamarind
Factor Potential intervention
1
Organizing cluster level
producer groups
3. Community meetings to get oriented with the objectives
4. Targeting: Identification of most vulnerable, deserves
external support for the improvement of their livelihoods.
 Priority for HHs exists in the collection, processing and
marketing of tamarind.
 HHs deprived of land for agriculture nearly 20% are in
this category of 8GNDs
 More focus on economically active age group of women
exploring job opportunities 27% most of the young
adults with basic educational backgrounds.
 Women headed households nearly 27%
 Relying on wage labour, with meager earnings need
alternate income opportunities more than 35%
2
Participatory monitoring and
Sustainable harvesting
 Strengthening joint management system by series of
trainings on sustainable harvesting practices.
 Sensitizing the tamarind tree growers to stop leasing of
trees, which is of less remunerative
 Raising awareness on the overall situation of their natural
resources on which their enterprise is based and are involved
in monitoring them, make them to develop a greater sense of
involving in the project and a deeper understanding of issues
surrounding natural resource sustainability.
 Monitoring of seasonal harvesting, to have records on the
distribution of tamarind trees and the HHs details to check
the harvesting, whether the tree is utilized or harvest is
neglected and the resource is underutilized and to take steps
for the harvestings and collection of fruits.
3 Trainings and capacity Training needs assessments.

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buildings  Investigations on Willingness and dedications, area of
interests, family backgrounds, prior skills and experiences,
educational background.
4
Establish and strengthen
Linkages with Training
institutions and knowledge
providers.
1. IPHT Anuradhapura, many researches were done on post
harvest technology for the tamarind. Process methodology
was developed. Training modules are developed and in hand
with the required capacity for the dissemination.
2. Chamber of commerce for Trainings for business
promotion, marketing, finance management.
3. Dept of Agri: Organic agriculture practices.
4. DOF; Joint forest management
5
Organizing rural collection
centers.
 Need based creation of basic marketing infrastructure like
weighing machine, drying platform, and storage space etc. at
the cluster level to facilitate the engagement of poor in the
collection of tamarind and follow up with primary
processing.
6
Organizational structure  Decide on the governance of the collection centers
 Organizing the management body.
 Assigning responsibilities based on incentives
 Organizing the procurements of tamarind pods, staff is to be
well trained in the determination of price billing and
payments system according to the quality and quantity
parameters.
7
Pre processing  Trainings to be organized in processing and packaging
 Staffs dealing in the processing are to be trained in HACCP
to maintain high sanitation standards in every steps of the
processing.
8
Transport and logistics  Inbound transport system linking the collection areas to
collection centers and to the processing unit must be there,
to ensure availability of raw material in right time, the right
quantity and the right quality.
 During the transport of food commodities high sanitary
practices to be maintained. Lidded containers of food grade
stainless steel should be utilized.
9
Packaging  Cleaned and sterilized bottles and synthetic pouches to be of
uniform size are tamper proof are to be utilized.
 Well descriptive labels to the current market trend are to be
designed and printed the package itself to sell the product.
 Shelf life of the product to be determined very scientifically
based on the moisture content and the hygienic standards
maintained during processing of tamarind and the
consequent processing operation and ultimately how the
end product is sealed in the sterile condition and steps taken
to prolong the keeping quality.
10
Marketing  Before entering the product in the market, market
acceptability of the product must be gauged by supplying
the samples to the marketing agencies.

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 What do potential buyers judge our products, what might
make it more attractive, what the price in return we will get,
what the share goes to distributors.
 Negotiation underway with local vavuniya wholesalers
Vavuniya MPCS, Gunam & Co of Tharmalingam Road,
Vavuniya and Thayalan Trading of Tharmalingam Road,
Vavuniya, for the trading of semi processed tamarind , de-
husked with seeds of grade 2 qualities. Follow up with the
submission of samples.
11
Negotiation with marketing
agencies and follow ups
 Initial negotiation to come to a viable agreement is there
with Cargill’s Food City super market chain. Final terms to
be discussed and agreed upon with their sales commission
basis.
 Saarakketha also interested in the market promotion of the
local produces of small holders. They are willing to give
support for us in brand development aspects. Technical
advice designing and printing of labels to the current market
trend.
4.2 Wild and Domestic Fruits of NFR
By all accounts the study reveals that the Nainamadu forest Reserve has an ample supply of wood
apples and many other wild varieties to make it a major force in local, provincial and national small
fruit markets. However, having the resource and knowing how much is available annually and
harvesting it are two different things. There are no any records on wild fruits of past collections of
quantities or quantities sold.
There have been wild fruits such as Paalai, Weerai, Murali, Uluvinthai harvest for centuries in the
Nainamadu forest and a lot of the oral history is available through the local population. Different
attempts have been made to expand and establish the domestic level wild fruit harvest into a
commercialized process, compared to the cottage industry that it has developed into making of
treacle/syrup from Paalai and uluvinthai rich in medicinal values healings many of the growing
children’s ailments. This has not worked for several reasons; one of them being a lack of basic science
and knowledge of the fruits themselves and where they grow and the lack of basic infrastructures.
Harvesting is the biggest issue facing the development of the wild fruit trade industry. Our harvesters
are getting older (75-80 % are 50 years of age and older) and the younger generation does not see or
are interested in harvesting wild fruits as a means to generate or supplement ones income. Finally,
most harvesters pick for either their own use or to sell to individual markets in their neighborhoods,
the road sides of the high ways, transit locations like Murukandy Temple at A9 high way, temple
festivals that they have secured their market over the past number of years.

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Road side Palu (wild fruit) sellers Palu fruits for sale in a road side at Murukandy
Potential Markets
Many interviews and consultation with the traders, Marketing agencies reveals that the demand for
indigenous fruits products have grown in recent years because they are known to be rich in vitamins,
foliates and other nutrients. Forest fruits are grown in a pristine environment that is free from
pesticides and pollution making these fruits more attractive to Perspective Company’s involved in the
processing of pharmaceutical syrups.
In order to commercialize NFR indigenous fruits, it is important that they can be marketed to a
number of different industries like Agro processing, pharmaceuticals. The way in which they are
marketed will have a significant influence on the price they will command and the quality and
quantities that will be expected. In consulting with individuals involved in marketing and research and
development at Chamber of commerce, Agro Processers and with individuals involved in the fruit
processing industry, several potential marketing ideas were explored.
There is nowadays a great deal of nationwide interest in indigenous fruits and their beneficial health
effects. Medical and nutritional studies are being conducted in many countries concerning the
chemical content of indigenous fruits and their health implications (Gampaha, Native forest
Foundation news letter- 2005). It has been shown that forest fruits can form significant component of
a healthy diet owing to there:
 High fiber content
 High content of antioxidant vitamins
 High content of potassium and other minerals
 Low sodium content
 Health-promoting seed oils, and
 High content of phenolic compounds.
Forest fruits contain high concentrations of water and are, therefore, low energy foodstuffs. Most of
the energy content of forest fruits derives from the presence of various sugars. However, they also
contain proteins and fat, albeit in very low proportions. The fat content of forest fruit is of very high
quality as it consists of essential health promoting fatty acids. For this reason seeds should not be
discarded during food preparation. Forest fruits contain no cholesterol.

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Fruits of Indigenous species in the Dambulla Whole sale market Picture by: eswaran
Issues and constraints in marketing
In a Face to face interview with a Commission Agent of the dedicated economic Zone of Dambulla
pointed out that the Dambulla Whole sale market is the hub for the marketing of Agricultural
producers cultivated around the North Eastern, North central ,Central Provinces, Nuweraeliya and
Polonaruwa Districts. Nearly 26500 metric tons of fruits and vegetables are dealt in a week. The
trader’s practices the commission based (2%) fruits and vegetable trading rather than buying and
selling.
The peak starts from January and a trough in April to June, inadequate storage facilities lead to
surplus, the system there for exhibits wide seasonal fluctuation. This situation is more evident in the
case of fruits and vegetables.
During the peak supply season, the fresh fruits and vegetables supply systems typically records
wastage of around 30 to 40 percent. The trader point out that during every step of transport
preparation and packaging, fruits and vegetables are subject to bruising and spoilage as a result the
amount goes as waste also increases greatly, 30 tons per months.
All the out lets in the economic zones are decoupling points closer to the consumers, it takes
considerable time to move their inventory, this causes a large percentage of perishing, the issue is
determining the life time of the fruits and vegetables is short and if this duration is not properly
managed it cause problem.
Adaptation of conventional transport system and its impact
Under the conventional system fruits and vegetables are packed in gunny bags and transported in
ordinary Lorries. The charge levied for the transport by lorry is determined by the number of gunny

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bags transported; the system encouraged the producers to pack maximum amount in a gunny bag and
to accommodate the maximum number of bags per lorry.
Producers are much reluctant to adopt the improved transport system, packing in plastic crates and
transport in a less or no damage mode of transport, though it’s expensive by nearly 30 – 40% than
the conventional system, but the cost disadvantage is more than compensated by improved product
quality and higher overall prices.
During the discussion among the vendors, producers and the lorry transporters, the new market trend
of the Cargill’s Super market chain functioning in the Thambuthegama dedicated economic Zone and
other areas was compared with existing conventional system, Cargill’s operating a ware house system
considered as a separate cost – center in their management system. This constitutes a new approach
under which the warehouse operates as a nonprofit, no loss basis. The procurement process is handled
by the ware house operators.
The produce brought to the warehouse graded and packed and sent to the super market for sale. The
super market typically retains a sale margin of around 22-25%. This elimination of several
intermediate layers in the traditional supply chain has enabled the super market to substantially reduce
costs, the benefits of which are, in part, passed on to the producer.
Development of a fruit processing Industry for the processing of indigenous fruits of NFR
The initial stage of research and development within the indigenous forest fruit, assessing the
potential opportunities include the establishment of a year round processing operation for all the
available domestic and wild fruits tree species of NFR in the study area of 6 GNDs. Developing the
fruit industry will require assessing harvesting capacity and harvesting requirements both from a food
industry perspective and a business perspective. With the development of the fruit industry more
harvesters will be required to supply and meet industry demand.
Functional Beverages
There are lots of products prepared from the indigenous fruits and medicinal plants extract penetrating
in the global market. Many of the processing and marketing techniques of the immediate neighboring
countries, ‘SAARC’ could be replicable under the trade coalition acts.
Functional beverage is a drink product that is non-alcoholic product become very popular in the
continental Markets and includes in its formulation ingredients such as herbs, vitamins, minerals,
amino acids or additional raw fruit or vegetables. It often claims to provide specific health benefits.
Examples include sports and performance drinks, energy drinks, ready to drink (RTD) teas, enhanced
fruit drinks, soy beverages and enhanced water.
Functional beverages have become popular due to its appeal to consumers who are seeking specific
health benefits in their foods and beverages with their 'healthiness-on-the-go' idea. Both convenience
and health have been identified as important factors when consumers make decisions about
purchasing foods and beverages. Functional drinks are promoted with benefits such as heart health,
improved immunity and digestion, joint health, satiety, and energy-boosting.
The addition of wild fruits to functional beverages has great market potential. The current consumer
market is embracing functional beverages as an easy, convenient way to get essential nutrients and
vitamins.

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Distribution and Diversity of fruit tree species in Nainamadu Forest Reserve (NFR)
Table 7: Wild Species
Local Name Botanical Name Growing areas
Harvest
season
01 Vilamaram
(wood apple)
Limonia Acidicimia In all the 6 GNDs surroundings May - Sep
02 Paalai (Palu) Manilkara Hexandhra In all the 6 GNDs surroundings May - Aug
03 Weerai Drypetes sepiaria In all the 6 GNDs surroundings May - Aug
04 Murali Dimocarpus longan In all the 6 GNDs surroundings May - Aug
05 Uluvinthai In all the 6 GNDs surroundings May - Aug
06 Nelli Phyllanthus emblica In all the 6 GNDs surroundings May - Sep
07 Naaval Syzygium cumini In all the 6 GNDs surroundings Jun - Sep
Table 8: Species Distribution in the home gardens
Local Name
Botanical
Name
Growing areas
Harvest
season
01 Mango Magnifera
indica
In all the 6 GNDs surroundings April - Sep
02 Papaya In all the 6 GNDs surroundings Annual
03 Jak fruit Artocarpus
heterophyllus
In all the 6 GNDs surroundings April - Sep
04 Lime, Orange Citrus
aurantifolio,
citrus cinensis
In all the 6 GNDs surroundings Annual
05 Psidium gauva Psidium gauva In all the 6 GNDs surroundings Annual
Constraints
The availability of forest fruits limited to seasonal, normally the fruits are collected from the forest
and sold fresh in the seasons. In order to plan the optimal utilization of the industry, processers must
be certain about the availability of the raw materials. It’s very evident through the interview with
traders, agro processers; the weakly developed supply chain is one of the major issues inhibiting the
development of year round profitable forest fruits business. Due to the geographic spread of the crop
transport costs faced by intermediaries are very high and direct market access to urban and peri-urban
markets by growers is limited.
Furthermore, due to this low degree of cooperation amongst growers, in combination with the high
degree of geographical dispersal of growers, there tended to be an excessive amount of ‘middlemen
are layering’ and kilometers travelled. Greater collaboration amongst such traders would not only help
keep down search costs but also allow for a faster delivery of produce to the market.

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4.3 Medicinal plant products
Traditional Ayur medical practitioner Mr.Andiyappan during the interview commented that,
Nainamadu Forest reserve is a rich source of medicinal plants. The agro climatic conditions and
rainfall are favoring this bio-availability. Perhaps, the significant medicinal plants species are still
conserved without undergone any destructive changes. Many of the valuable Medicinal plants are
neglected and underutilized. Solanum Xanthocarpum, (Kantankathiri) this plant species widely
distributed all over in the NFR areas but quiet a good quantity is imported annually from India., even
various other products of native found in the area abundantly medicinal products like seeds of Naval,
Syzgium cumini are imported from India. Collection/extraction and selling or any non cash income
activities are not recorded, utility of medicinal plant is found totally neglected in the study area of all
the 8 GNDs.
A farmer of Sandilipay in his field of cultivation of Aswagantha/
Picture By: Dept of Indigenous medicine
No systematic large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants exists as yet (Pilipitiya 2010). Many
medicinal plants have been overexploited due to the lack of planned management, and as a result,
many herbal medicines that could be
grown in Sri Lanka are now imported
(e.g. kohomba (Munronia pumila),
weniwel (Cosciniun feenestratum).
Aswagantha (Withenia sominifera) is
imported from India and sold in retail
outlets at the rate of Rs1200/=/per kg.
The joint effort of Department of
Indigenous Medicine, Jaffna District
and a farmer of Sandilipay (Vali west
Division of Jaffna District) evidently
proved with higher out puts that the his
cultivation of Aswagantha is very
profitable and feasible, the agro
ecological environment of Jaffna is much suitable.for the cultivation of Aswagantha and various other
medicinal plants, pilot project was evaluated and the results , shows, from 2000 plants per acre
average yield is 200 – 250 kgs of roots average market value is Rs 1200/= total income is Rs
240000.00 (Dr.Sivarajah MO, Government Herbal Garden, Nilavarai, Puttur) ).
In the point of economical development cultivation of
Aswagantha is the best way than the importation.
Northern Province is endowed with every agro
ecological factors for the cultivation of Aswagantha
and various other medicinal plants (Taxonomist,
Senior Agro Scientist Prof.Piyal Samarasinghe),
While 68% of national demand for medicinal plants
(MPs) is currently met by local supply, stocks of
various species are increasingly scarce (Abeywardana
and Hettiaratchi, 2001). Average annual income from
Aswagantha plants grown in the Navakiri
herbal garden Picture by: eswaran

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the collection of medicinal plants in savannah forests and other forest types ranges from SL Rs.20 000
– 25000 (Bandaratillake 1998).
A Dominant Pharmaceutical Trader Mr.Cheliyan of Ms Rasiah & Co of Vavuniya and Kilinochchi,
has Listed out the Medicinal plants which are densely populated in NFR with the potential to fetch
higher market value from the Pharmaceutical industries, whole sale and retail out lets of Ayurvedhic
pharmaceuticals. The sale of plant extracts is undoubtedly increasing as evidenced by the growth of
the several pharmaceutical industries of the country, many of the products in the forms of capsules,
pills, tonics, were showcased in his own shops and the sales records witnessing the situation of the
growth and development of the medicinal plant extract industries and the growing demand for the
medicinal plants.
Pharmaceutical products made out of plants extracts displayed at Trade Fair stall at Siddha Ayur
Exibhition of Jaffna 10/06/2013, Pictured by: eswaran
A new industry has developed to produce local pharmaceutical herbal products as Government
undertaking at Atchuvely (Vali East Division of Jaffna District) and there are about 75 manufacturing
units in the country (Pilipitiya 1995). Shops selling indigenous medicines and herbal preparations are
common in both rural and urban areas (Bandaratillake 1995)
Table 9: Distribution of Medicinal Plants with potential for Market Demand in the NFR
No Local Name Botanical Name Usage
01 Kadukkai Terminalia Chebula seed
02 Karimulli Solanum Anguivi Whole Plant
03 Kantankattiri Solanum Xanthocarpum Whole Plant
04 Nochi Vitex Negundo Whole Plant
05 Paalaikkodi Leptadenia Reticulata Whole Plant
06 Peruntulaci Ocimum Gratissimum Whole Plant
07 Peyamanakku Baliospermum Montanum Seed
08 Poduthalai Phyla Nodiflora Whole Plant
09 Puliyamaram Tamarindus Indica Seed, Leaves
10 Sirukurinjan Gymnema Sylvestre Leaves
11 Parpatakam Mollugo Cerviana Whole Plant
12 Perumaruntu Aristolochia Indica leaves, bark
13 Pavattai Pavetta Indica leaves
14 Perunaval Syzygium Jambos seeds
15 Peru-nerunji Pedalium Murex leaves , seeds
16 Nilavarai Cassia Angustifolia whole plant
17 Maruthu Terminalia Arjuna bark
18 Nannari Hemidesmus Indicus root, twicks

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19 Nelli Phyllanthus Emblica fruits, leaves, barks
The case study of Medicinal Plants
The results of the field survey (PRA), Rapid market analysis (RMA) and literature review of
Medicinal plants are presented above. A short overview is given in the SWOT table. Conclusions and
recommendations are found in the next chapter.
Strength:
 It’s revealed in the recent ICUN biodiversity
assessment, NFR is with diverse plant
species.
 In Eastern philosophy, it is mentioned that
“Nasti mulum vanaushadhim”: no plant
createdbytheGodiswithoutmedicinalvalues;
however,onehastoknowhowtousethese and
for which disease.
 The demand for medicinal plants is expected
to continue to expand rapidly, fuelled by the
growth of sales of herbal supplements and
remedies.
 Green consumerism and the current
resurgence of interest in the use of
"Naturals".
 National and International NGO
organizations institutional development
support, with enough funding for the forest
conservation programs.
 Governments Forest System Master plan
accommodating community participation in
numerous ways for the FJM and for the
sustainable harvest of NTFP resources.
 FD and FWL Conservation Authorities
Empowered with legal, acts and ordinances.
 Private sector interest in NTFP
entrepreneurship endeavors.
 Free market economy bringing in more
openness and expanding markets and demand
for new resources, materials and products.
 Various Knowledge exchange bases for
transfer of Knowledge for In-situ, Ex-Situ
conservation initiatives and development,
Universities, Indigenous Medical Institutions,
and Forest Departments.
 A wider nationwide market/supply chain
network exist under the Sri Lanka Ayur
Drugs Cooperation
Weakness:
 Valuable medicinal plant resources are
neglected and underutilized.
 Lack of Improved information on factors that
affect the supply of medicinal plants. And the
rich indigenous knowledge, held by
Practitioners of traditional medicine, is being
progressively eroded in the absence of a
determined effort to document and preserve it
for posterity.
 younger generation does not see or are not
interested in harvesting of Medicinal plants
or any of the NTFPs as a means to generate
or supplement ones income
 Lack of Indigenous knowledge on
identification, collection/extraction and
processing of Medicinal plants to their utility
effects,
 Lacking initiatives for the Promotion of
alternative village incomes linked to
maintaining the integrity of reserves.
Opportunities:
 Highly advanced science and Technological
Threats:
 Despite the increasing use of medicinal

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development has led to vast array of
neutraceutical and dermaceutical industries in
the Districts, Region, National and
International.
 High Market demand for a vast diversity of
herbal ingredients, major proportion of which
is derived from wild, provide the resource
base to the herbal based pharmaceutical
industry.
 Proposed Joint forest management initiatives
and the community involvement in
monitoring use and status of medicinal plants
can contribute to effective strategies for their
sustainable use.
 Availability of amble fertile land resources
for efficient use through new systems of
organic farming and home gardening.
plants, their future, seemingly, is being
threatened by complacency concerning their
conservation.
 Agricultural encroachments
 Climate change
Conclusions
Major factor impeding the development of the medicinal plant based activities in the area of NFR has
been the lack of information on the social and economic benefits that could be derived from the
industrial utilization of NTFPs specific to medicinal plants. Except for the use of these plants for local
health care needs, not much information has been available on their market potential and trading
possibilities to earn income. As a result, the real potential of these plants has not been exploited by the
people of the NFR area.
Recommendations
Factors Potential Intervention
Technical collaboration -
Linkages with Siddha Ayur
Faculty of Jaffna
1. Reactivation of the prior understandings and mutual verbal
agreements with University of Siddha Ayur Medicine Faculty,
Jaffna.
2. Getting written approval from the secretary Northern Province,
Department of Indigenous medicine, for the sanction of
University staff to offer the Technical support services.
Identification and zonation of
medicinal plants in the NFR
and Establishing Medicinal
Plant Conservation Areas.
 Develop the Terms of reference with Siddha faculty for the
assessment of the medicinal plants in the NFR.
 Render support for the research study with the coordination of
DOF and the participation of forest user groups.
 Establish medicinal plants conservation areas
 Trainings and capacity building to the organized village FUGs
for the Improvement of the technical capacity to conserve
plants.
 Collections and Preservation of indigenous information on
medicinal plants, improved information on factors that affect
the supply of medicinal plants.
 Compilation of data and information and documenting,

NTFP Final Report 15 June 2013

NTFP Final Report 15 June 2013

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NTFP Final Report 15 June 2013