Market constraints in NTFP trade: Household perspectives in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

Non-timber forest products' (NTFP) market potential to achieve livelihood development and poverty reduction objectives is often constrained by socioeconomic factors. This paper explores NTFP market constraints from village households' perspective and examines how different socioeconomic factors may influence those constraints. This case study focused on Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. Field data were collected through household questionnaire survey and group discussions. Results suggest that CHT's NTFP market systems suffer from poor transportation facilities, communication systems, financial capital or credit access, and market information and linkages. NTFP market knowledge and information among households is deficient and limited. NTFP market knowledge is significantly influenced by various socioeconomic factors such as household member's education, sex, household's income and ethnicity, distance to market and road access.