Perceived Effects of Farmer Participation in Utilization and Conservation of Forest Resources in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State
D. H. Yakubu *
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
O. T. Eduno
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
H. Shuaibu
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University/Institute for Agricultural Research, Zaria, Nigeria.
M. B. Muhammad
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
T. C. Oduehie
National Agricultural Extension, Research and Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, South-East Zonal Office, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
M. Mamman
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study assessed the perceived effects of farmer participation in utilization and conservation of forest resources in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. Data were collected from 150 farmers randomly selected, using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using both descriptive (percentages, frequencies and means) and inferential statistics (multiple linear regression). Result of the analysis indicated a low participation of farmers in forest conservation. The farmers however, had a positive perception on the fact that community participation in forest conservation increases job opportunities ( 4.65) and reduces poverty (4.16). Result of the linear regression analysis revealed that age had a negative (-0.009142: p < 0.01) and significant relationship with farmers’ perceived effect of community participation in utilization and conservation of forest resources, while household size (0.0169081: p < 0.05), education (0.0503444: p < 0.1) and farm size (0.1228889: p < 0.1) all had positive and significant relationships with farmers’ perceived effects of community participation in utilization and conservation of forest resources. It was concluded that farmers’ participation in conservation of the forest was very low. The need for sensitization of the farmers on the importance of participation in forest conservation by all the stakeholders was recommended.
Keywords: Perceived effects, farmer, participation, utilization, conservation, forest resources.