ABSTRACT

This study identified Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) and income generated from them, estimate the cost and return structure of non-wood forest products in the study area, describe the socio-economic characteristics of the rural people engaging in harvesting of non-wood forest products, investigate the constraint hindering rural people to access non-wood forest products, and their role in the rural livelihood of inhabitants of Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Primary and secondary data was used to obtain the necessary information required. The primary data was used to obtain data from the field by the use of well structured questionnaire that will be administered on rural households involve in non-wood forest products in the study area and total of 60 copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents While the secondary data was used to obtain information from published journals, past projects, internet facilities, libraries and other relevant sources.

Two-stage random sampling was used in this study; in the first stage three (3) towns were randomly selected from the fourteen towns in the Ikole local government area. The second stage involve the selection of twenty (20) harvesters involve in non-wood forest products from each of the selected towns which gave a total of sixty (60) respondents. The non-wood forest products (edible mushroom, honey, root (Itakun igi iru Parkia biglobosa, Itakun igi oju ologbo-Abrus prectorious, itakun igi botuje pupa- Jatropha gossypiifolia), vegetables (waterleaf, amaranth, worowo, scent leaf), nuts (cashew nut, bush mango), fruits (mango fruit, cashew fruit, Africa star apple, palm fruit, iyeye- Spondias mombin), spices (alligator pepper, turmeric, scent leaf). Result shows that majority of the respondents (76.7%) were female, 65% possess secondary education, (76.7%) of the respondents were married, majority of the respondents (33.3%) had their age falling between 40-49years, 56.7% of the respondents were farmers, The result of budgeting analysis showed total revenue was found to be N 347,655.55. The Total Variable Cost was N96, 444.75 while the Total Fixed Cost was N 39, 753.75. The Net Income and Gross Margin levels for all respondents were N 211,457.05, N 251,210.80 respectively with rate of return on investment amounting to N 0.7716 per product sold, and this implies that harvesting of non-wood forest was profitable in the study area.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

List of Tables

List of figures

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study ...................................................................................

1.2 Problem Statement. ...........................................................................................

1.3 Objective of the Study ......................................................................................

1.4 Justification of the Study ...................................................................................

1.5 Plan of study ......................................................................................................

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Conceptual Review ...........................................................................................

2.1.1 Definition of Non-wood Forest Products ......................................................... 

2.1.2 The Importance of Non- wood Forest Products (NWFPs) to Forest-Based Livelihoods in Africa 

2.2 Empirical Framework. ........................................................................................ 10

2.2.1 Income and Non-Wood Forest Products ........................................................... 11

2.2.2 Gender and Non- Wood Forest Products .......................................................... 13

2.2.3 Food Security and Non-Wood Forest Products ................................................. 14

2.2.4 Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Levels of Dependency on Forest Resources .. 15

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY

3.1 Area of Study .................................................................................................. 25

3.2 Method of Data Collection .............................................................................. 26

3.3 Sampling technique ......................................................................................... 27

3.4 Method of data analysis .................................................................................. 28

CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of the Respondents......................................29

4.1.1 Sex of the Respondents..................................................................................2.9

4.1.2 Age of respondents ........................................................................................30

4.1.3 Marital status of the respondents..................................................................31

4.1.4 Educational level of respondents..................................................................32

4.1.5 Primary occupation........................................................................................3.3

4.1.6 Household Size..............................................................................................3.4

4.1.7 Major Source of Income................................................................................35

4.1.8 Years of Harvesting Experience....................................................................36

4.1.9 Number of cooperative societies they belong to ........................................... 37

4.1.10 Average monthly income ............................................................................... 38

4.2 Various Types of Non-Wood Forest Products and Income Generated..........39

4.2.1 Non wood forest products Harvested............................................................40

4.2.3 Cost and Return Structure of Non-Wood Forest Products in the Study Area 41

4.2.4 Problem Encountered in HarvestingNon Wood Forest Products.................42

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary and Major Findings.......................................................................4.3

5.2 Conclusion.....................................................................................................44

5.3 Recommendations.........................................................................................4.4

REFERENCE .......................................................................................................... 46 APPENDIX...........................................................................................................4..8.