Contributions of Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) To Household Livelihood and Poverty reduction in Enugu State Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract                                                    The study analyzed the contributions of species of NWFPs to farm household’s livelihood and poverty reduction. One hundred and twenty (120) respondents were selected through multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and Probit model were used for the analysis. The results indicated males (63.33 %) had mean age of 56 years and were farmers (53.3%). The average household size was 5 persons and mean years spent in school was 7 years and had medium wealth (50.83%). The most commonly collected plant species of NWFPs were bitter kola (Garcina kola), breadfruit (Treculia africana), bush mango (I.gabonenesis and wombulu), kola nut (Cola nitida), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), Icheku (Dalium guinese), African star apple (Chrysophylum albidium), Avocado pear (Persea americana), African bush mango (Dacryodes edulis) and Oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla) while the most commonly collected animal species of NWFPs were bee products (Apis mellifera linneaeus 1758), flying termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) and fish (Ictalurus punctatus). Wealth category (p<0.01) and occupation (p<0.01) positively and significantly increase the contributions of NWFPs to household food security. Educational level (p<0.05) had negative and significant effect on the contributions of NWFPs to household food security. On the daily inclusion of NWFPs in respondent’s meals, NWFPs appeared in the meals of the households for a total of 2,150 times (78.5%). The result of the proportion of household food from NWFPs shows that 53.33% indicated that species of NWFPs constituted over 50% of their household food. Household size and occupation positively and significantly (p<0.01) increased the contributions of NWFPs to household income. Household size and occupation positively and significantly (p<0.01) increased the contributions of NWFPs to household income. NWFPs appeared in the market wares of the households for a total of 381 times (79.4%). The result of the proportion of household income from NWFPs shows that 54.43% indicated that species of NWFPs constituted over 50% of their household income.       Key words – Non Wood Forest Products, Household food security, Household income,                                          Commonly collected, Enugu state