Published Online:March 2026
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Supply Chain Management
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJSCM030326
DOI:10.71329/IUPJSCM/2026.23.1.39-79
Author Name:Prabal Barua and Syed Hafizur Rahman
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Strategic
Download Format:PDF
Pages:39-79
In Bangladesh, more than 300 non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are harvested, with bamboo, honey, cane, and medicinal plants being among the most commercially important. The sector provides employment to over 550,000 people, and approximately 27% of households near forest areas derive cash income from NTFPs, which accounts for around 18-19% of their annual earnings. Despite this importance, the NTFP supply chain remains fragmented and underdeveloped, limiting value realization and market competitiveness. This review based study synthesizes existing literature and statistical evidence to examine the marketing, processing, and value-addition dimensions of NTFPs in Bangladesh from a supply chain management perspective. The objectives are to evaluate the current production and trade status, identify structural bottlenecks across supply chain actors and linkages, and explore opportunities for sustainable value enhancement and market expansion. The findings reveal persistent challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited processing capacity, weak institutional coordination, intermediary-dominated markets, regulatory complexity, and risks of overharvesting. Drawing on national and global best practices, the study proposes strategic pathways for strengthening supply chain integration through policy support, stakeholder collaboration, capacity development, and improved market access. Advancing these measures can enable the transition from subsistence extraction toward inclusive bioeconomy participation, unlocking economic benefits while supporting ecological sustainability and rural development in Bangladesh.
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) play a significant role in supporting rural livelihoods and local economies in many developing countries. These products, which include items such as medicinal plants, bamboo, honey, fruits, fibers, and resins, are derived from forests without the need to harvest timber