Abstract
In the past, conservation effort has primarily focused on establishment of forest reserves for timber production, with minimal or no consideration to how these natural resources will help sustain or improve livelihoods of adjoining communities. This study examined the contribution of Aramoko forest reserve to the livelihoods of the adjoining communities in Ekiti State. One hundred and twenty pre-tested questionnaires were administered among the products collectors in the study area. Data collected were analysed and the result showed that 78.3 % of the respondents are married with 52.3 % of them male, while 50.8 % of the respondents aged between 51-70 years with 64.1 % having at least secondary education. Twenty-five (25) different products were collected by the respondents in the study area. These products include among others; timber with highest frequency of (120) followed by herbal plants (115), Archantina marginata (105), Thaumatococcus danielli (89), Bridelia ferruginea (70) and Irvingia garbonensis (65). The use of motor cycle accounted for 41.4 % of the respondents means of transportation, while 31.3 % of the respondents sell their product in bit at the village market. Picking, digging, plucking, cutting and uprooting were methods used for harvesting by the respondents while illegal felling (24 %) and indiscriminate bush burning (22.4 %) were the major conservation problem in the study area. Specifically, some of the products harvested are used for food, medicine, fuelwood, herbs and cultural purposes. The study recommends that research should be conducted into how these products can be artificially raised in the nursery for plantation establishment.
Highlights
Since the 1970s the academic community has been studying and documenting evidence of the neglected role of women in agricultural development [1]
This study looked at the productivity of promoted melon shelling technology and preference by rural women in Nigeria
The outcome of this experiment is in line with prevailing practice found on the field among the melon processors
Summary
Since the 1970s the academic community has been studying and documenting evidence of the neglected role of women in agricultural development [1]. In an effort to reduce human drudgery, minimize labour costs and enhance overall productivity and efficiency, the national research institutes have designed, fabricated and tested an array of improved melon processing technologies suitable for use under Nigeria’s socio-economic environment and conditions. Examples of such technologies include melon depodder, washer, sheller, oil extractor and impulse sealer. Prior to the sheller innovation, shelling and processing of melon have always been through hand shelling by the rural women [5] These techniques cannot substantially minimize drudgery, seed spoilage and losses, which affect quantity and quality of melon oil supply in the market [6]
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