The development of underplanted forest products (UFPs) is one of the forest-related policies arising from the recent Collective Forest Tenure reforms in China. This study aimed to understand what might affect farmers' incomes from UFPs, the difficulties and barriers farmers face in developing UFPs, and the influence of the UFPs policy. A semi-structured questionnaire study and two qualitative interview studies with local households and local forest authority directors were administered in Guangxi and Hunan Provinces, China. A lack of related knowledge and market information was the major barrier to cultivating UFPs. The UFPs policy has had negligible influence in encouraging the development of UFPs. According to participants, the main difference between households that were and were not cultivating UFPs was related to improved market access and information. Interviewees felt that cooperation and support from the government and from UFP processors would enhance their interests in the cultivation of UFPs.