Utilization of forest fruits: Enhancing the sustainability of forest products

Abstract

Forest trees and agroforestry play a key, often undervalued role to support food security and nutrition, in its four  dimension (availability, access, utilization and stability). Directly, trees provide a variety of healthy foods including fruits,  leafy vegetables, nuts and seed and edible oils that can diversify diets and address seasonal food and nutritional gaps.  Forests are also sources of a wide range of edible plants and fungi, as well as fish and insects. The role played by forests  and trees in the lives of many people appears obvious through the many uses of products. At least, until recently, this  has been compounded by the inadequate attention that has been given to the characterization of thissystem, and the  benefits and costs that are associated with them. As a result, a greater understanding of how forests and tree-based  production systems support forest fruits and food, both directly and indirectly is needed.Non Timber forest Products  (NTFPs) are crucial contributors to rural communities, and lower income households have been found to depend on  them to support their livelihood in many parts of the world.