Effects of forest resources utilization on livelihood of rural farming populace in Kogi and Niger States, Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the Effects of Forest Resources Utilization on Livelihood of Rural Farming Populace in Kogi and Niger States, Nigeria. To achieve the study objectives, 326 farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected from primary sources using structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (in form of frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics such as Tobit regression. The hypothesis of the study was tested using spearman correlation coefficient. Findings revealed that the mean age of farming populace was 40.2 years, while the mean experience in forest resources utilization was 18.9 years. Also, 48.2% of respondents had no formal education. Further findings revealed that 50% of the farming populace in the study area were of moderate livelihood status. The coefficient of fuel wood, bags of charcoal, number of timber, number of available herbs and wilds fruits had significant effect on livelihood. The constraints to forest resources utilization in the study area were rapid disappearance of forest resources (5.01) and poor prices of forest resources (5.23), the hypothesis revealed that the coefficient of age (0.1239), education level (-0.1646) and experience in forest resources utilization (0.2342) had significant relationship with livelihood status of farming populace in the study area. It is recommended that government, non-governmental and other agencies should educate farming populace on the benefits embedded in forest resources utilization, farmers should intensify every effort to harness the untapped forest resources that would have positive effect on their livelihood and government and extension agents need to curtail the constraints associated with forest resources utilization.