Economic importance of farmed parkland products to livelihood sustenance in Lau Local Government Area Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research was specifically designed to determinethe economic importance of farmed parkland products as it sustains the farmers livelihood in Lau Local  Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria.A total of 80 respondents were randomly selected from 45.5% of the ward, and were interviewed using a well pretested questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using simple descriptive statistic such as percentage. The results indicate that 37.5% respondents utilized  products such as fruits, leaves and nuts, 35% utilized seeds/seedling (murichi) in Hausa language. 27.5% obtained fibres, bark and roots for medicinal purpose. 37.5% respondents retained parkland trees as source of food for their families, while 35% retained parkland products as source of income. 42.5% opined that contribution of parkland products was high to their livelihood sustenance. The other 22.5% respondents believed that parkland products contributed low to their  livelihood. Recommendation such as government should enlighten farmers through electronic and mass media on the importance of parkland products was made.

Key word: Economic, importance, parkland, livelihoods.