Gender Differentials in Accessing Forest Products as Means of Livelihood in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined gender differentials in accessing forest products as means of livelihood in Ondo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are to identify socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, main forest products assessable in the area, factors influencing level of participation of the respondents in forest products and problems encountered in accessing forest products. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 196 respondents. Descriptive statistics and truncated regression model were used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that men (59.7%) were more than women (40.3%). Majority of the women (82.3%) engaged in Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) while men (76.1%) that were engaged in timber forest products (TFPs) were high. The results of the truncated regression model revealed that age, source of information, non-forest income, land tenure, experience, household size and unit price of forest product were the main factors that significantly affected the level of male and female’s participation in forest products. This study, therefore, recommended that government should put in place a sustainable governance structure in the forests communities for a conducive and friendly environment that will ease the burden of the women, being the most vulnerable.

Keywords

• Income
• non-timber
• truncated regression model
• forest products

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