Assessment of non-timber forest products (ntfps) as a source of rural household income in ido local government, oyo state nigeria

Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute to poverty alleviation through generation of income, provision of food and improved nutrition, medicine and foreign exchange earnings to the growth and economy of the Country as rural households in Nigeria derived up to 80% of their incomes from their sales. This study aimed at assessing Non-timber forest products as a source of household income by identifying the types of non-timber forest product, examined their perceived benefits, and identified the constraints facing effective utilization in Ido local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected with the use of 150 structured questionnaires. Twenty-five (25) NTFPs were identified and bush meat was the predominant product in the study area. The identified Non-Timber Forest products were readily available in both dry and rainy seasons; they are obtained on a weekly basis majorly in farmlands and free area, free of charge while few NTFPs require a fee of between N200 and N6,500 before they could be collected. The rural households in Ido local government utilize the non-timber forest products majorly as source of food and they are faced by inadequate finance and lack of capital as major constraints for their effective utilization. Lastly, household size has a significant impact on the contribution of Non-Timber Forest products to the residents of Ido local government area. The Non-Timber Forest Products are the main sources of household income which contributed 80% to the total household income for sales; bush meat contributed the largest proportion of the total NTFPs income (94.7%) and firewood (91.3%) which is their main source of energy. These resources play a key role in the livelihood of the respondents through income generation which guarantees economic sustenance and food security, as well as remedy for healthcare challenges due to the therapeutic value found in some NTFPs. It is therefore safe to say that NTFPs are blessings to the rural population and as such should be exploited sustainably so that generations to come would benefit from these multi-purpose natural resources.