OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS OF GUM AND RESIN MARKETING: CONTRIBUTION TO PASTORAL HOUSEHOLDSIN ELWAYNE WOREDA, NOGOB ZONE, SOMALI REGION

The Opportunities and Constraints of Gum and Resin Marketing and Its Contribution to Pastoral Households in Elwayne Woreda, Nogob Zone, Somali Region" by Abdikadir Mohamed Hassen, submitted to the Department of Pastoral Economics and Development at Jigjiga University in June 2019. The thesis aims to explore the socio-economic impact of gum and resin marketing on pastoral communities in Elwayne Woreda, focusing on income generation, market participation, and the challenges faced by households involved in the collection and sale of these non-timber forest products (NTFPs).Key Sections:Background:The study discusses the economic importance of gum and resin production in Ethiopia, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Ethiopia is recognized as a major global producer of frankincense, myrrh, and gum Arabic. Despite the sector's potential, marketing constraints and policy gaps hinder growth.Objectives:The research seeks to:Identify opportunities and constraints in gum and resin marketing.Assess the contribution of gum and resin sales to household income.Determine factors influencing market participation.Methodology:Data was collected from 176 households across three kebeles using structured questionnaires. A combination of descriptive statistics and econometric modeling (multiple linear regression) was used to analyze the data.Findings:Opportunities: Associations for gum and resin collectors exist, though government support is minimal.Constraints: Distance to markets, poor road infrastructure, lack of credit and market information, and natural risks (e.g., snake bites) pose significant challenges.Income Contribution: Income from gum and resin sales is significantly higher than livestock sales, highlighting its importance in the region's economy.Determinants of Production: Key factors influencing production include gender, experience, number of collectors, price, livestock income, kebele location, and knowledge gaps.Conclusion and Recommendations:The study emphasizes the need for infrastructure development, policy support, and capacity-building initiatives to improve gum and resin marketing. It also recommends providing credit facilities and market information to enhance pastoral households' livelihoods.This thesis contributes valuable insights into the role of non-timber forest products in rural development and outlines practical strategies to overcome existing barriers in the sector. Read more