Title: Benchmarking the contribution of non-timber forest products towards sustainable livelihood and regional development

Authors: Tumula Dilleswar Rao; N.V.J. Rao

Addresses: GIET University, Gunupur, Odisha, India ' GIET University, Gunupur, Odisha, India

Abstract: The present study examines the effect of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) towards enhancing community capacity building, balanced regional development, and sustainable livelihood of the selected regions from an emerging market perspective. SEM analysis was applied to validate the hypothesised model using 471 responses drawn from survey participants. In this regard, the findings reveal a positive and significant link between all the study constructs that render affirmation to the research model. Further, community capacity building plays a mediating role in the link between NTFPs and sustainable livelihood and NTFPs and balanced regionals development. The results and findings were compared with prior studies in the similar domain that provides a strong justification to place novel contribution of this study in extending the domain knowledge. Also, the findings provide insights to managers and policymakers to benchmark and devise strategies for effective commercialisation of NTFPs that can contribute towards regional development and better livelihood.

Keywords: non-timber; sustainable livelihood; benchmark; capacity building; regional development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2024.140643

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2024 Vol.18 No.1, pp.126 - 140

Received: 12 May 2023
Accepted: 12 Jun 2023
Published online: 29 Aug 2024 *

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