Deforestation and sustaining plant non timber forest products availability to rural households for poverty alleviation in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper assessed how deforestation affects the sustainable availability of plant Non-Timber Forest Products –NTFPs- to rural households in Delta state, Nigeria. Random and Purposive sampling techniques were used for the study. All together 75 rural households’ respondents were sampled. Focus group discussions were used to improve the data collected. Structured questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by experts from the field of study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages and means. Findings revealed that deforestation takes place through known methods like population pressure, over-exploitation, logging and non-enforcement of Government policies. The availability of NTFPs was not sustained and little or no conservation measures were carried out by the rural households. Recommendations include among others that forest conservation initiatives by government should allow the participation of rural households in programme formulations and executions and management as regards NTFPs use and sustainability; there should be education and enlightenment of rural households on forest conservation and deforestation. There should also be encouragement of the in-situ and ex-situ cultivation of plant NTFPs and those highly consumed in households which are at the risk of being depleted or going into extinction.