Effects of Non-wood Forest Products on Rural Household in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of non-wood forest products on rural households in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. It highlights; Socio-economic characteristic of the respondents, identify forest products available in the area, examine the effect of non wood forest products on rural household, analyze the determinants of level of income of the respondents and ascertained the constraints that hinder non-wood forest products based economic activities. Data were collected from the respondents with the aid of structured interview schedule guide and analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean and ranking) and regression and chi- square. Results showed that 87.5% of the respondents were within the age category of 30to59 years old and 53.3% were male, 88.3% were married, About 68.3% of the respondents years of experience on non wood forest products ranging from 6 to 15 year. 69.2% had household size of between 1 to 5, all (100%)  of the respondents indicated bush meat as the non-wood forest product available in the study area. About 48.3% of the respondents indicated collection and marketing of non-wood forest products as their economic activities. About 78.3% of the respondents indicated that income earned from non wood forest products economic activities ranges between N100 to N1000.00 per day. Even though respondents mentioned constraint hindered their non wood forest based economic activities. There was significant relationship between income determinants factors and income. Also significant relationships exist between rural household economic activities and constraints. Extension personnel need to be encouraged in order to disseminate appropriate information on forest protection, forest products harvesting technique and on economic and environmental value of forest.

Keywords: effect, forest, non-wood forest products, rural household, Surulere, Oyo.