Abstract:
The study examined the
participation of rural women in
exploitation of non-timber forest products
(NTFPs), as a means of sustainable
livelihood in Southwestern Nigeria. A number of 320 respondents were
interviewed through pre-tested structured
interview schedule in the four purposively
selected forest reserves using a multistage
sampling procedure. Data collected were
presented using appropriate descriptive
and inferential statistics. The mean age
and mean year of experience in NTFPs
exploitation were 40.9 ± 11.5 years
and16.4±3.4 years, respectively. NTFPs
participated by the respondents in the
study area were palm fruits, vegetables,
snails and fire wood among others. Actor
categories identify in the NTFPs business
chain were collectors, processors, traders
among others. In addition, majority of the
respondents show willingness to continue
in NTFPs exploitation irrespective of
alternative livelihood. The findings
revealed that age (t=2.39), number of
hours of collection per week (t=3.48),
years of experience of NTFPs exploitation
(t= -3.88) and external orientation
(t=2.20) of respondents significantly
contributed to their participation in
NTFPs exploitation. The study concludes
that participation in NTFPs exploitation
by the respondents was moderate. It was
recommended that more enlightenment
programmes should be organized by
relevant stakeholders for the rural women
to create awareness on the income
generation opportunities that abound in
the NTFPs activities.
