Abstract:
The unsustainable harvest of
forest resources in dry regions of Africa has
contributed to forest degradation and
increased the prices of forest resources in
local markets. Many people in dry regions,
especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have been
harvesting forest resources to supplement
food sources due to poor crop production as a
result of erratic rainfall. This review seeks to
explore the utilisation and contribution of
forest resources to improving food security in
the dry regions of Africa. Forest resources are
highly utilised by poor resource farmers in
rural areas as a means of poverty alleviation,
income generation and to improve human
livelihoods. Resources such as non-timber
forest products (NTFPs) contribute to human
nutrition, income generation, food sources
and to improve living standards. NTFPs, such
as honey, waxes and medicines, have been
reported to contribute income in countries,
such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and
Zimbabwe, creating more opportunities for
rural people to improve their living standards
and reduce food insecurity. These resources
contribute to hidden hunger though the
utilisation of fruit, vegetables, honey, wild
meat and edible worms, especially to the
children under five years of age. Climate
change has also created variability in the
availability of forest resources in dry regions,
and this has altered their contribution to
human livelihoods and food security.
