Effects of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Exploitation on Rural Development in Osun-State
Abstract
The importance of potentials of forest products in rural development and the economy of the nation has not been fully harnessed. This study therefore assessed effects of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) exploitation on rural development in Osun-State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 156 rural households in the study area. Data were collected using interview schedule. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages were used. The study revealed the mean age of the respondents to be 54 years, with a standard deviation of 11.95. 57.7% of respondents were male, while 42.3% were female. All (100.0) of each of the respondents indicated that kola nut and bitter kola were the exploited non-timber forest products. Around 98.1%, 94.9%, and 74.4% of the respondents signified that walnuts, All (100.0%) of each of the respondents signified that ginger and turmeric were the exploited non-timber forest products. Around 98.7% of the respondents indicated Tabasco pepper, black pepper (98.1%), and 88.5% each indicated that Solanum nigrum and Senecio biafraewere the exploited non-timber forest products. Nevertheless, balsam (85.9%), garlic (84.0), thorny pigweed (69.9%), and Lactuca taraxacifolia (62.8%) were identified as exploited non-timber products by the respondents. The exploitation of non-timber forest products has improved the immunity of the respondents against diseases due to frequent herbal drugs used and Exploitation of non-timber forest products reduces crop production rate were ranked 1st and 2nd with a weighted mean score of 4.9 and 4.8 respectively while non-timber forest products contribute to job availability was ranked 3rd with WMS of 4.7. It was concluded that exploitation of non-timber forest products has improved the immunity of my respondents against diseases due to frequent herbal drugs used was the most prominent among the effects of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) exploitation on rural development. Therefore, government should provide soft loans to the herbal drugs producers: in other to promote their production.
