The Contribution of Agroforestry Tree Products to Rural Farmers in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State

Abstract

A study to evaluate the contributions and economic benefits of agro-forestry tree products to rural farmers in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area was conducted. Fourty (40) farmers randomly selected from 45.5% of eleven wards were interviewed, using a well-designed and pretested questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed using simple descriptive statistic. The results showed that, all the farmers maintained trees on their farms, the most popular species were Balanites aegyptiaca, Borassus aethiopium, Vitex doniana Zizipus, Mauritiana and Ficus capensi;, and planted species were Moringa oleifera, Psidium gujava, Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale. The protected/planted trees contribute several products such as food, fruits, leaves/fodders, medicine, seeds, fibre, oil, and services such as nutrients fixation to the soil. The contribution of agro-forestry tree products to the livelihood of rural farmers was high and accounted for about 50% as indicated in table 4. More awareness on the overall benefits derivable from this practice and its contributions and economic benefit to farmers’ livelihood should be intensified through both media enlightenment and tree planting campaign.