Socio-economic impacts of timber harvesting in Ago’owu Forest Reserve and its environs In Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

The socio-economic impacts of timber harvesting in Ago’Owu Forest Reserve and its environs were investigated. Simple random sampling  technique was used to select 100 forest dwellers from 3 adjoining communities of Ago’Owu Forest Reserve. Sample was drawn in proportionate to size. A set of structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on various timber species in Ago ‘Owu Forest Reserve, impacts of timber harvesting on the livelihood of forest dwellers and challenges of the timber harvesting in the Forest Reserve. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and logistic regression at α0.05. The average age of the respondents was 36.7±8.9 years, mostly male (87.1%) and married (53.4%) while  34.7% and 34.7% had secondary and primary education respectively. Harvested timber species in the area were Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Triplochiton scleroxylon. Results on socio-economic impacts revealed that timber harvesting has positively affected the livelihood of the respondents in terms of income generation (22.8%), rural development (20.8%), improved standard of living (19.8%), poverty alleviation (19.8%) and job opportunity (15.5%). Relationship between socio-economic characteristics and the impact of timber harvesting in Ago ‘Owu Forest Reserve revealed that there was significant association among nativity (χ2 =6.75), occupation (χ2 =21.21), work experience (χ2 = 16.84) and impact on timber harvesting in Ago ‘Owu Forest Reserve. Identified challenges facing timber harvesting were poor road network, high tariff, transportation of products and capital intensive nature of the harvesting process with odd-ratios of 1206.0, 81.3, 26.7 and 23.4, respectively. Timber harvesting and  trade in the Forest Reserve were found to have highly impacted the livelihood of the forest dwellers positively, although still confronted by some  challenges. However, government should encourage plantation establishment, review tariff, repair road network and address other problems faced by timber contractors and loggers. Keywords: Forest Reserve, Timber harvesting, Challenges involved, Forest dwellers, Rural livelihoo

Perceptions of secondary school students on forestry and environmental science education in Oyo-State, Nigeria

Forestry and Environmental Science education have become inevitable in Nigerian schools considering the numerous environmental problems encountered daily in almost all the states within the country, hence the need for this study. This study assessed the perception of secondary school students on Forestry and Environmental Science Education in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and forty copies of questionnaire were administered to the students in the study area. The student’s average perception ofForestry and Science Environmental Education was quite impressive because majority (95.9%, 99.2%) of the students in government and private schools respectively agreed with that protection of the environment is important. Majority (89.1%, 73.1%) of the students in private and government schools were knowledgeable about the environmental issues in Oyo state. Some perceived benefits of forest such as Tree roots helps in absorbing surface water and Forest creates job opportunities for people with a mean score of 1.73 and 1.62were ranked 1st and 2nd respectively. The regression analysis result shows that students’ knowledge of environmental issues has contributed significantly to their perception of Forestry and Environmental Education. Based on the findings of the study, it is therefore concluded that majority of the students have high level of knowledge about environmental issues in Oyo state although they were not satisfied with the current state of environment in the state. The study recommends that more orientation and re-orientationprograms on the issue of environmental protection are needed in schools in Oyo State. Keywords: Perception, Environmental schools education, Forestry, Environmental problems, Secondary student

Structure and Efficiency of Trade in Wild Snail in Selected Markets in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria

The study examined the structure and efficiency of trade in wild snail in Selected Markets in fivepurposively selected popular markets in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from ahundred and twenty (120) snail marketers with the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed using Descriptivestatistics, Gini coefficient and budgetary analysis. According to the study, 80% of the respondents sourced theirgoods (snails) from the wild and the selling price is largely determined by the socio economic status of the buyer(40%). Also the enterprise is dominated by females (83.3%), more profitable in Apata market with a profit margin of ₦167,000 and generally efficient. Furthermore there is high inequality in the structure of the market as the gini coefficient (0.59) tends towards one while the major constraints to  marketing include transportation (from the wild to the market) competition among marketers and storage. The study therefore recommends that snail farming (heliculture) should be encouraged so that there will be massive production and availability of snails all year round. This would mitigate the identified problems and increase the benefits accruing to players in the snail value chain. Keywords: Structure, Efficiency, Wild snail, Ibadan metropolis, Profit Margin

Perception of farmers on agroforestry systems adoption in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed farmers’ characteristic variables and perception towards the adoption of agroforestry practices in Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State. Multistage Sampling Technique was used for the study. Five Wards which include Ijaye /Ojedeji, Ajibade/Alabata/Elekuru,  Akinyele/Isabiyi/Irepodun, Ojo Emo/Moniya and Ojoo/Ajibode/Laniba were randomly selected from the Local Government Area. Ajeja, Alabata, Akinyele, Moniya and Idowu oko areas were selected from each of the Wards, respectively while ten (10) farmers were selected from each of these areas. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distributions as well as correlational studies were used to analyse the collected data. 34 % of the respondents were involved in the practice of agroforestry according to the study. The correlation (r value) at (p< 0.01) also shows that there is a significant association between respondents’ characteristic variables such as age, educational and marital status and adoption of agroforestry practices, while age, sex, marital and educational status are significant on agroforestry perception. It is recommended that awareness  on benefits of agroforestry should be raised in order to create needed awareness and its importance, adequate technical supports should be  provided for farmers interested in practicing agroforestry and also the efficient use of available farmlands of all types of landholders should be  ensured. Keywords: Farmers’ characteristic variables; Perception; Adoption; Agroforestry practices

Adoption of Agro-Forestry among Farmers in Onigambari area of Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out in the Onigambari area of Oyo state to determine the choice of farmers to practice Ago-forestry in the area. The χ2 test result revealed that the educational level of the respondents correlated highly with the respondents major occupation (p<0.01). χ2 test shows that there was significant relationship (p<0.01) between the respondents’ level of education and awareness of agroforestry systems. This shows that farmers with a better educational background can accept agro forestry easily than those will lower education. Farmers’ awareness of Agroforestry systems, willingness to plant trees, purpose of planting trees and desired tree species were evaluated. It was observed that 74% of the respondents are not willing to practice agroforestry while 24% shows interest. 64% confirmed they are aware of the practice while 32% had never heard of such practice. The t-test result shows a significant difference with respect to the willingness of the respondents to practice agroforestry. Of those that areaware, 38% practice agroforestry for the purpose of fuel wood, 36% as source of income while only 2% practice for the purpose of wind breaking. Eucalyptus calmuldulensis, Magnifera indica, Gmelina aboreal are some of the tress used for this practice in the study area. Lack of seed and scarcity of land were identified as limiting factors that prevent farmers from practicing agroforestry. In summary it was observed that the respondent’s level of education correlated significantly to the level of education, also the level of education determines respondent’s willingness to practice  agroforestry. It is recommended that Seeds, Seedlings and land be made available to encourage the practice among farmers. Extension workers are encouraged to engage farmers more on the benefits of agroforestry. Keyword: Farmers, Agroforestry, Climate change, Land degradation, Natural Fallo

Farmers’ knowledge and attitude towards the adoption of agroforestry practices in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Nigeria

This study presents farmers’ knowledge and attitudes towards the adoption of agroforestry in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. A multistage random sampling technique was used to administer the questionnaires to a total of 50 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The demographic factors analyzed showed that the majority of respondents were males (60.8%) and possess married (54.2%). Majority of the respondents (66%) do not practice agroforestry and possessed low knowledge of agroforestry practices. Respondents’ attitudes towards the practice were inadequate. Furthermore, knowledge of agroforestry was found to influence the willingness to adopt the practice, attitudes towards agroforestry practice also influence its adoption in the study area. Based on the findings, this study recommends that extension agents and other stakeholders should intensify effort to pass down adequate knowledge on the practice and advantages of agroforestry to farmers in the simplest form it can be well understood, to improve their attitudes and increase their rate of adoption of agroforestry practices. Keywords: Farmers, Knowledge, Attitude, Adoption, Agroforestry and Akinyele LG

Poverty status of arable farm households in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed the poverty status of arable farm households in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. Ninety (90) respondents were randomly selected using the multistage sampling technique while data was collected using structured questionnaire. The data generated from the survey were analysed using descriptive statistics, poverty measures and a logistic regression model. The descriptive analysis shows that majority of the rural households were headed by males (76.67%), most of them (82.22%) were married and had a mean age of 54.5  years with 84.45% of them having a formal education. The mean household size of about 7 persons was obtained with a mean farm size of 6.66 hectares in the study area. The mean farming experience was 13.63 years, and the majority (86.67%) of the respondents did not receive any credit for their farming activities at a time or the other. The poverty status indicated that 54.44% of the respondents are poor while 45.56% are non-poor. The result of the factors influencing the poverty status using logistic regression analysis reveals that being married (p<0.05) and household size (p<0.1) were positive and significant predictors of the probability of being poor while access to credit (p<0.1) and per capita income (p<0.01) were negative and significant predictors of the probability of being poor. The study, therefore, recommended thatquality credit accessibility and participation in skills acquisition programmes through diversification should be encouraged due to their capability of improving the household income of the poor