Accessibility of non timber forest products (medicinal plants) collectors to information and communication technologies in Gambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Information and communication technologies are germane to dissemination of vital information to human development. Therefore, they are veritable tools for passage of innovation and market information that will enhance livelihood activities among the non timber forest products collectors in the study area. This study was carried out in Gambari forest reserve, Oluyole Local Government area to assess the accessibility of non- timber forest products (Medicinal) collectors to information and communication technologies (ICTs). A well-structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data through systematic sampling procedure to select a sample of 75 collectors. The data for the study were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential analytical tools. The findings of the study showed that both male (53.3%) and female (46.7%) genders respectively were involved in collection of NTFPs, and were in the age range of 31-40years (30.7%), and were married (53.3%). The result showed that there is significant relationship between accessibility to ICTs and marital status (x² = 19.073, p< 0.005), age (x²= 13.339, p< 0.005), educational level (x² = 21.083, p< 0.005), Household size (x² = 17.128, p< 0.005) among the collectors. The result further revealed that availability of ICTs has positive influence on the NTFPs collectors (r = 0.242, p< 0.05), and correlation between frequency of use and availability of ICTs among collectors (r = 0.624, p< 0.05). In conclusion it is shown that majority of the collectors indicated that medicinal products are available and useful domestic and commercial purpose. The study provided data about awareness through ICTs on non- timber forest products collection. It is therefore recommended that government need to provide advocacy through the medium of ICTs especially radio, and power and communication infrastructure. There is need also to involve extension agents to using extension methods for relevant information dissemination among NTFPs collectors in Gambari Forest Reserve, Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo state.

Keywords: Accessibility, Non Timber Forest Products, collectors, ICTs, Gambari Forest