Forests are an invaluable resource for women. Grasses growing beneath the trees serve as fodder for animals, and the wild and semi-wild plants, which form part of the rural diet, often ensure survival in times of famine. In India and southeast Asia, some 150 forest species have been identified as sources of emergency food. In addition, many rural women rely on the income earned from the sale of forest-based products, such as furniture, baskets, mats, medicines, honey and oil. In surveying indigenous knowledge on multipurpose trees, scientists talk to male and female farmers, traders and herbalists about trees, tree products and tree management.
Studies show that men and women often select different trees and shrubs for food and other purposes.
Women are particularly interested in medicinal tree products, as it is their job to look after the family s health. Also, women are more interested than men in planting trees on farmland to provide fuel, as collecting firewood for cooking is generally their responsibility. After all, cultivated plants depend on local communities for their survival and the decisions of the community determine to a large extent their distribution. Understanding cultural differences, socio-economic systems and local institutions, including land tenure regimes, can help locate target areas where collecting can capture significant genetic diversity. The collecting and documentation of indigenous knowledge promotes the use and accessibility of the genetic resources stored in a genebank.