Women’s involvement in forestry practices as livelihood options in Igalamela /Odolu local government area, Kogi state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluates the involvement of women in forestry practices as a means of livelihood in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria. One hundred women were interviewed; 20 each from the five communities were purposively selected for this study. The data were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group interview and personal observations. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. The study revealed that 46 respondents practiced forestry through woodlots management, 33 respondents practice Home gardens system of agroforestry; 9 respondents practiced forestry through nursery development, 10 respondents practice boundary trees, while 2 respondents practiced Apiculture. The study also revealed that the practice of forestry through woodlots management, nursery development and home garden empowered rural women through the sales of forest products; increases and improve household food security and economic stability; arrest the situation of land degradation and deforestation; increases crop yield, and develop forestry practices in the Study Area. Therefore, evaluating the involvement of women in forestry practices as a means of livelihood in the Study Area cannot be over emphasized.

Key Words: Forestry, Nursery, Woodlots, and Home garden.