The 4th Regional Workshop under the AFoCO/035/2022 Project, “Improved Local Community Livelihoods through Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs),” was successfully held from June 9 to 12, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. Co-organized by the AFoCO Secretariat and the Royal Forest Department of Thailand, the workshop brought together over 35 participants from 11 AFoCO member countries and experts from NTFP-EP Asia.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Chien, Director of AFoCO’s Project and Program Division, emphasized the need for continued commitment to ensure the timely and impactful completion of the project. He extended sincere appreciation to the Royal Forest Department and NTFP-EP Asia for their unwavering support. The four-day program focused on strengthening the capacity of project teams in Community-Based NTFP Enterprise (CBNE) development, value-chain analysis, market research, and sustainable resource management. Country teams presented their implementation progress and shared valuable insights and best practices. The workshop provided an interactive platform to address challenges, align closure strategies, and refine roadmaps for each country’s NTFP project.
Highlights included thematic sessions on sustainable harvesting, enterprise development, and marketing strategies, led by seasoned NTFP-EP Asia consultants. A field trip to Thai Herbal Hongthai, a successful herbal product enterprise, offered participants practical exposure to value-added processing and market integration.
The workshop concluded with a call to action for stronger collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participating countries. As the project approaches its final phase, the Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to supporting each country’s efforts through tailored monitoring visits and technical guidance. The workshop’s success marks a significant step forward in achieving sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities across Asia through NTFP-based enterprise development.
