Socio-economic determinants of the quality of <i>Irvingia gabonensis</i> harvested by rural dwellers in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the socio-economic determinants of the quantity of Irvingia gabonensis (ogbono) harvested by rural dwellers in Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. A total of sixty respondents were randomly selected from twelve rural communities of the study area. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and personal interview. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis and a willingness-to-accept compensation model were used in the assessment. The majority of the respondents were female (63%). Household size was a significant predictor in determining the quantity of Irvingia gabonensis harvested from the forest. Injuries from knife cuts while opening or picking the fruits, and attacks by wild animals, were the major problems encountered by harvesters. Policies should allow some access to sustainable harvested non-timber forest products, and harvesters should recognize the importance of controls on the levels of harvesting.

Keywords: Non-timber forest product; household size; harvesting constraints; over-exploitation