Assessment of the contribution of non timber forest products to sustainable rural livelyhoods in Nigeria

Abstract

Non timber forest products (NTFPs) are all those products of biological origin got from forests or associated ecosystems which contribute significantly to human wellbeing. NTFPs contribute enormously to household food security and income generation in Nigeria. Therefore, they play a prominent role in rural poverty reduction. This paper examines the important roles played by NTFPs in rural livelihood sustenance in Nigeria with specific focus on their contributions to rural livelihoods with respect to food security, poverty reduction as well as income and employment creation.

Keywords: Sustainable rural livelihood, household, non-timber forest products, poverty reduction