Economic Contribution of Wildlife to Bushmeat Market in Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assessed the economic contribution of wildlife to bushmeat market in Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interview of targeted respondents. Bush meat sellers in Irewole local government area, Ikire were sampled. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and likert scale analysis. The result showed that majority of the bushmeat sellers were females (55.9%) with a mean age of 41 years. Most of the bushmeat sellers strongly agreed (4.91±0.09) that they generate more income from bushmeat trade, 4.71±0.17 equally noted that customers prefer to purchase bushmeat than convectional meat type while 1.56±0.19 disagreed that seasonal change affects customer’s preferences for bushmeat in the markets. Also, 5.00±0.0, 4.82±0.13, 4.74±0.17 respectively believes that bushmeat are more delicious, better source of protein, more of medicinal value when compared with conventional meat type. Furthermore, an average of 3.70±0.2 had cultural sentiments for the consumption of bush meat. An average net profit per respondent yielded ₦3,565.53, while BCR and profitability index are 1.95 and 0.95 respectively. Conclusively, bushmeat trading is a profitable and very lucrative enterprise.