Gender Differentials and Climate Change Perceptions on Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Use and Trade in Ago-Owu Forest, Osun State
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lead City University
Abstract
NTFPs are increasingly touted as having significant value in the tropical area as the political economics of forest resources shifts globally. This study investigated the gender differentials in the use and trade of NTFPs in three selected markets around Ago-Owu forest namely Araromi market Omu, Total market Apomu and Oba Olatunde Falabi market Ikire. It was also aimed at investigating the contribution and impact of NTFPs to the livelihoods of local
traders in Ago-owu forest and how climate change has affected the availability of the products to the traders. From the three selected markets, a hundred and one traders who agreed to be interviewed were used as respondents in the study. The survey was done using a semi structured questionnaire eliciting information on demographics, perceptions on NTFPs, gender differentials and perceived effect of climate change. Findings indicated that common NTFPs available in Ago-owu include Garden egg (Solanum macrocarpon), Bologi (Solanecio biafrae), Field pumpkin (Curcubita pepo), Fire wood (Crassocephalum crepidoides), Water leaf (Talinum triangulare), African mango (Irvingia gabonensis), Avocado (Persea Americana), Jute leaf (Corchorus spp), Wrapping leaves (Thaumatococcus danielli), Walnut (Juglans spp), Locust bean (Parkia biglobosa), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea
L.), Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), Okro (Abelmoschus esculentus), Water yam (Dioscorea alata), Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), Plantain (Musa acuminate), Cocoa (Theobroma cacao), Kolanut (Cola acuminate), Bitter yam (Dioscorea dumetorum), Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola), Mandarin orange (Citrus reticulate) and Snail (Gastropoda spp). The study established the significance of NTFPs to traders’ livelihood as it formed at least 85 % of their income. Furthermore, respondents perceived extreme rainfall to be a strong agent of climate change and has caused crop destruction. Male traders were more inclined to harvest activities while women were more prominent in gathering, processing and transporting activities.
Keywords: Forest, NTFPs, Market, Livelihood, Climate Change
Word Count: 283
Description
Keywords
Forest, NTFPs, Market, Livelihood, Climate Change