Nemis Journal of Environmental Science
Vol. 1(1), pp. 01-015
Full Length Research Article | Accepted Date: 5 AUGUST, 2015.

CONTRIBUTION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFPs) TO POVERTY REDUCTION IN NAGI COMMUNITY, GWER-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

AUTHOR: NYIBIAM BENJAMIN AND OGWUCHE JONATHAN ALI

Abstract

This study assessed the contribution of NTFPs to poverty reduction in Nagi Community of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 120 persons involved in the NTFP business chain were selected randomly for this research. Using questionnaire, observation and Focus Group Discussion, the research identified a variety of NTFPs in the 3 forest types in the area. The gains accruing to those in the business include increase in social status, human capacity building, economic empowerment, and employment. The study established that 98.01 percent of the variation in the income generated by the respondents is explained by increase in NTFP business. This means therefore that NTFP business contributes significantly to poverty reduction in the area. The study recommends the strengthening of NTFP business through the creation of more markets, provision of road infrastructure, and establishment of NTFP processing industries in the area.

Keywords

NTFPs, NTFP business, poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods.

Citation

Nyibiam Benjamin and Ogwuche Jonathan Ali. (2015). NTFPs, NTFP business, poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods. Nemisjournal of Environmental Science 1(1): 01-015.