Socio-economic contributions of forest products to livelihoods in Yewa north local government ogun State Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed contributions of forest products to nutrition and livelihoods in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State, Nigeria. The main objective of the study found out the socio-economic contributions of the forest foods towards livelihoods in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The specific objectives; identified and described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identified the available edible forest/wild plants and animals in the study area, determined the socio-economic factors influencing the use of forest foods in the study area as well as described major problems facing forest food collection, processing, marketing and consumption in the study area. Three hundred and fifty (350) respondents randomly selected from major communities were interviewed with questionnaire. Data generated were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Majority (65%) were males (88%) between 21 and 60 years. The principal household size was 6-10 (60%) persons; major occupation is farming (41%). Farm sizes were below a hectare. Majority (75%) lived in concrete houses and mud houses (22%). About half (45%) of the respondents uses water closets, pit latrines (32%) while 20% defecated in nearby bushes. Ninety percent possessed mobile phones for communication and 68% indicated availability of conventional medical facilities. Drinkable water was sourced from private boreholes (31%), public water (46%), streams (27%) and wells (12%). The source of energy is national grid (91%), kerosene stoves (56%) and firewood (28%). The respondents indicated high assets index in terms of household assets (81%) and farm assets (92%). Twenty-two plant species were identified of which 95% were eaten and twenty animal species were identified. Logistic regression model showed that sex and household size tended to increase the odds in favor of consumption of forest foods while age, educational farm size and tools owned tended to decrease consumption of forest foods. The principal problems confronting respondents were lack of storage facilities, poor transportation and shortage of wild foods during off seasons. The study concluded that forest products contribute significantly to livelihoods and recommends domestication and conservation.