Profitability and Determinants of the Choice of Commercialization of Non-Timber Forest Products in Kinshasa. Case of Salacia pynaertii De Wild, Gnetum africanum Welw, Pteridum centrali-africanum Hieron

Abstract

The paper presents the result of the profitability and determinants of the choice of commercialization of non-timber forest products in Kinshasa. This was achieved by means of questionnaire survey administered to 207 vendors of Salacia pynaertii, Gnetum africanum and Pteridumcentrali-africanum. The objectives were to identify the factors which determine the choice of commercializing each non-timber forest product (NTFP) and determine their profitability. Descriptive analysis of all variables collected through the questionnaire survey was undertaken followed by logistic regression of selected factors. Age and marital status determine the choice of commercialization of S. pynaertii, experience is the only explanatory factor determining the choice of G. africanum; age, marital status, market access, place of supply and level of income are explanatory factors determining the choice of commercializing P. centrali-africanum. The results of the daily financial calculations gave the profitability of the 3 NTFPs studied as follows: 5300 CDF (5.7 USD) and 41, 7% for S. pynaertii, 9300 CDF (10 USD) and 86.9% for G. africanum; and 320 CDF (0.34 USD) and 32.2 for P. centrali-africanum.