CONTRIBUTION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFPS) SALES TO RURAL WOMEN'S INCOME IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

• S. F. Arifalo

  Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

This study examined the contribution of Non- Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to rural women's income in Ondo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of rural women involved in NTFPs collection and sales in the study area; identified the NTFPs usually gathered by them; estimated the proportion of income from NTFPs in total income of the women; and identified the determinants of income from NTFPs. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 150 women living around the selected forests and involved in NTFPs gathering and sales. Data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model. The results of the study showed that the majority of the women were still in their active age with a mean age of about 45 years. Also, most of the respondents' main occupation was NTFPs collection and sales. The NTFPs mostly involved were fruits and nuts. Furthermore, the average monthly income from the sales of NTFPs by the respondents was ₦100, 079.33 with NTFPs income contributing 68.7% of the total average income of ₦145,706.06 of the respondents. The result of the OLS regression model showed that cost incurred in gathering and processing, distance from home to market, types of NTFPs gathered, season of gathering, relationship of the respondents to the household head and other occupation significantly influenced the income from NTFPs' sales. The study concludes that income from NTFPs is substantially contributing to the total income of the rural women. It was therefore recommended that policies and strategies that support NTFPs activities as a means of empowering women should be established.by government, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders involved in rural development.

1. S. F. Arifalo, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

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