Customary Norms, Women's Participation, and Sustainability of Non-Timber Forest Products in a Local Community Forest Concession (CFCL) Bisemulu in Kailo, Democratic Republic of Congo

Mukulumania Mungazi Dido

Mukulumania Mungazi Dido Agronomist Engineer (Natural Resource Management), Lecturer at ISEAV-Maniema, DRC

Keywords: NTFPs, customary norms, gender, forest governance, CFCL, DRC

Abstract

The sustainable management of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) is a major challenge for rural livelihoods and the conservation of forest ecosystems in Central Africa. This study analyzes the relationships between customary norms, female participation, training, and NTFP sustainability within the Local Community Forest Concession (CFCL) of Bisemulu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 403 local households. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square association tests, supplemented by Cramer's V. The results show low recognition of customary rules (23.1%), a high perception of NTFP decline (66.8%), predominantly low or moderate female participation (91.3%), and very limited adoption of sustainable practices (3.7%). The analyses reveal significant associations between customary norms and perceptions of decline, between female participation and sustainable practices, and above all between training and sustainable adoption. The study concludes that the sustainability of NTFPs depends less on the formal existence of rules than on their effective institutionalization, the genuine inclusion of women, and the strengthening of local technical capacities. The association between training and sustainable adoption is very strong (χ² = 212.6; p < 0.001; V = 0.73).

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