JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ISSUES AND HUMANITIES

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1 Non-Timber Forest Products for Food Security and Development in Nigeria Offiong, E. E and P. B. Ita Department of Forestry & Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar ericoff07@yahoo.com Abstract The contribution of Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) towards rural household food security and development in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State was examined in this study. An attempt was made to evaluate the social and economic benefits of NTFPs to livelihood of rural household at subsistence level especially in the areas of secured provision of food, income generation and the concern to reduce the risks factor of food insecurity. Primary and secondary data were collected and used for the study. Primary data collection was through the use of well structured questionnaire. A sample size of one hundred and twenty (120) households heads were randomly selected from six (6) Communities in the study area. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistics. Respondent s acknowledgement of the social and economic benefits of NTFPs towards food security and development of the rural household is statistically significant. The results of the study also revealed that majority of NTFPs producers were females (63.3%) who were predominantly married (67.5%) and falls within the age range of years. Some of the respondents (68.3%) admitted daily consumption of NTFPs while 40% believe the rural households depend on NTFPs for income generation. Although, the level of study among the respondents impacts their perception of the usefulness of NTFPs but not their reaction to sustainability of these valuable products (X 2 = 22.15, df = 2, P 0.01). Also income generation by the respondents to aid development is dependent on the availability of NTFPs (X 2 = 32.15, df = 2, P 0.01) consumption (X 2 = 16.13, df = 1, P 0.02), household size (X 2 = 36.86, df = 3, P= 0.01); Participation (X 2 = 41.17, df = 4, P = 0.00); Knowledge on nutrient of NTFPs (X 2 = 99.15, df = 2, P = 0.00).The study concluded that the contribution of NTFPs towards rural household food security and development is statistically valid within the respondent s social and economic confines but there are needs for improvement if the following constraints are taken care. They include: lack of capital, poor storage facilities, problem in appropriate forest policies and haphazard forest policies implementation, problem of deforestation as well as unsustainable methods of harvesting NTFPs. Keywords: Non-Timber Forest Products, Food Security, Rural Livelihood 1. INTRODUCTION Non-timber forest products have been hailed as a Silver bullet for sustainable development and forest conservation due to their role as food and income source for the rural dwellers. FAO (1992) includes all goods as well as services derived from forest or any land under simulation use and this exclude wood in its forms but include plant materials used for foods, food additive, storage and fodder, cottage and wrapping materials as well as animal, birds, reptiles, fishes for food and leather. NTFPs also include extract such as bark, roots, tuber AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

2 leaves, fruits, flower seeds, resins and honey and mushroom (Ayeni et al 2003). In developing countries such as Nigeria most of its rural community depends on NTFPs to meet some or all of its nutritional, income, healthy and raw material needs. In some cases NTFPs are the only source of income for some rural communities (Wollenberg and Septiani, 1998) and the form an integral part of rural economy which enables them to have the resources and ability to access and purchase their required household food demands Jimoh (2006) reported that in Nigerian, NTFPs contribute significantly to household income and food security and this plays an important role in poverty reduction and the problems of food insecurity. This study examines the contributions of non-timber forest products to rural household, livelihood and development with emphasis on income generation and reduction of the risk factor of food insecurity. 2. FLOW CHART ON FOREST PRODUCTS, HOUSE, FOOD SECURITY & DEVELOPMENT FOOD SECURITY FOOD AND NUTRITION INCOME AGRICULTURE FOOD FROM: Forest Nutrition & Health Cultivated trees For Livestock SOURCE: FAO, 1992 INCOME FROM: The Forest Cultivated trees Prevention of soil erosion. Improvement of soil quality. Improvement of water supply, trees and climate. 3. NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS HOUSEHOLD NUTRITION Nutrition a vital component of health good in the evaluation of food security is the fundamental pillar of human development across the entire life span (Ahenkan 2010, WHO 2009). Globally, nutrition improvement in recent decode has been threatened, malnutrition in micro and macro nutrient is still widespread particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria (Ahenkan et al, 2010) & (WHO, 2009). Non-timber forest products make significant contributions to food security of the rural population providing a vast array of food which supplies essential nutrients especially at when other food sources are unavailable. These products ranges from being use as food or food additives (nuts, mushroom, wild fruits, herbs, spices, aromatic plants) and as plant materials (Fibres, creepis and flowers) and plant derivative (raffia, AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

3 bamboo, cork and essential oil) to animals (game, bees) and animal products (honey, silk). Edible food found in the forest (seeds, leaves, fruits, roots, gum, fungi, insects, rodents, wild game and fish) have superior nutritional quantity when compare with domesticated varieties. Processed and stored food products help to secure all the year round food supply, (FAO, 1989, Olawoye, 1996). In recent years attention has been focused on the potential of non-timber forest products in the reduction of poverty and food insecurity, thus improving nutritional and sustainable management of forest resources (Marshall, 2006). Non-timber forest products formed an integral component of the livelihood strategy of rural dwellers in the tropics and continue to be an important fact of household nutrition in african (FAO, 1997; WFP, 2007). Nontimber forest products (NTFPs) contributes sustainably to nutrition either as parts of the family diet on as means to achieve household food security by serving as a means of income generation that will empower the household to purchase their required household diet demand (FAO,1995, Shackleton and Shackleton, 2004). Rural household across the world have various reasons for which the engage in NTFPs gathering and these differ from persons to another. Neuman and Hirsch (2000) noted exclusive nature of non-timber forest products and defined it literally as any and every natural resource from the forest except timber. Andel (2006) meted NTFPs as wild plants and animals products harvested from the forest such as wild fruits, vegetable, nuts, edible roots, honey, palm, snails and bush meat. He further maintained that millions of people especially those having in rural areas of developing countries including Nigeria collect these forest products daily. Sale (2006) and Shomkegh et al (2008), regards selling NTFPs as means of earning a living which is being used to purchase food for their household. In Nigeria, food security is improved by growing crops and other forest food products in home gardens and on farm which are the important sources of income generation, Okafor et al (1994). 4. CONCEPT AND DEFINITION OF FOOD SECURITY The concept of food security have evolved since the first food world summit conference (Chen and Kates, 1994) and its is now accepted globally that food security is a situation that relates to access by all person at all times to enough food for an active healthy and sustainable means of household (Runtlinger, 1985). This concept varies in different level such that they are sub-divided into household, regional and national levels. Food security is therefore defined by a combination of criteria that are not mutually exclusive (Chen and Kates, 1994) as he noted balance between availability and need, Absence of famine or temporary food insecurity, seasonal or chronic nutrition and macro nutrient deficiency. The world food summit of 1996 defined food security as existing when all person at all times have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for the maintenance of a healthy life, this concept included physical and economical access to food that meet people s dietary needs. This definition was built on three fundamental principles. Food Access: Having sufficient funds or resources to obtain appropriate food for a nutritious diet Food Availability: Having sufficient quantity of food available on a consistent basis. Food Use: Appropriate usage based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care. METHODOLOGY AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

4 5. STUDY AREA This study was carried out in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Akamkpa is located between latitude E and N and longitude and E and occupies a land mass of approximately 5003 Square kilometers. Akamkpa town from which the local government derives its name lies some 27km from Calabar, the state capital. The annual rainfall of the area is about 2200mm with monthly maximum and minimum temperature of 39 0 C and 23 0 C respectively. The predominant vegetation of the area is tropical rainforest and the soil is yellowish red and brown sandy derived from crystalline rock. 6. DATA COLLECTION Six villages were randomly selected and visited in the local government area. These were Uyanga, Mbarakom, Oban, Nsan, Ifumkpa and Ojor. Respondents from these villages were randomly selected from 20 years and above (Male and Females) and their opinions were sampled. Primary data were collected by means of well structured questionaire using simple random sampling techniques. A total of 120 questionaires were designed to capture the contribution of NTFPs towards rural household food security and development within the respondent s socio-cultural and economic confines. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistics. Percentages and means were used to describe the socio-economic characteristics and involvement of NTFPs in rural household. Food security and development. 7. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The study (Table 1) shows the demographic characteristics of the respondents. The result shows that majority of the respondents (63.3%) were females and only 36.7% were males. Eighty nine percent (89%) of the respondents were within the age group years indicating that majority of the people involved in exploitation of NTFPs have to be physically strong. Majority of the respondents (67.5%) had not gone beyond primary school level. This is similar to report by Anamayi et.al (2005) where 85% of those involved in collection of NTFPs (Parkia fruit) were not educated. The high level of non-formal education is due to the rural nature of the study area coupled with the belief that women education was waste of resources as reported by World Bank (1994). The implication of this is that the people would not be receptive to new innovations in their methods of production since education is considered an important variable that enhances adoption of new technology (Olawoye, 1996).79.2% of the respondents also had farming experience ranging from 1 10 years. The economic potentials of NTFPS are enormous especially in terms of creating employment, provision of food, medicine and income. It is also useful as a source of raw material for forest industries. Majority of NTFPS exploiters were females who were mostly married and dominated the production and utilization of NTFPS in the study area. This agrees with the observation of Fiseha and Milimo (1988) in Zambia that more women were involved in NTFPs processing and marketing than men. It could be observed that 77.5% of respondents have a household size ranging from 6 11 persons where serves as a cheap labor which according to Varughese et al (2001) large household size favors increasing participation and production of NTFPs. This is because gathering and extraction of NTFPs are labor intensive. AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

5 Table I: Socio-demographic characteristics of Non-timber Forest Producers in the Study Area Variables OBAN OJOR NSAN IFUMKPA MBARAKOM UYANGA Total Total (%) Gender Male Female AGE Above Educational Status Non-formal Primary Secondary Tertiary Marital Status Single Married Widowed Household Size Years of Experience Above SOURCE: Field Survey (2012) Table 2 shows information on the scale and methods of production as well as source and availability of NTFPs in the study area. The results of the study revealed that bush meat ranked the highest (27.5%) followed by snail (12.5%) while fruit, nut and fuel wood had only 10.8% of the respondents.30.8% of the respondents admitted that NTFPs were sourced mainly from the primary forest and 29.2% from the market while 21.7% of the respondents obtained NTFPs from home garden. The scale of production of NTFPs was generally small (47.5%) and only 17.5% attempted large scale production. NTFPs were freely picked from the forest (65%) followed by 26.7% of the respondents being engaged in NTFPs farming while only 6.7% engage in poaching. Some of the identified NTFPs in Akamkpa includes: Apis mellifera (honey bees), Archachatina marginata (Giant Land Snail), Antherurus africanus (Porcupine), Agaricus bosporium (Mushroom), Gnetum africanum (Salad), Elaeis guineensis (Oil palm), Irivgia gabonensis (bush mango), fuel wood, (Chewing stick), Garcinia AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

6 Africana, Coula edulis.thryonomys swimderianus (grass cutter), Tregelaphus scriptus (Antelope). The most frequently observed NTFPs in the study area include bush meat, fruits/nuts and vegetables as also observed by Awe et.al (2009). Various reasons were given for the respondent s preference in NTFPs production and utilization ranging from food consumption, income generation medicine and cultural continuity. This is line with Andel (2006) and Tee and Amonum (2008) that NTFPs are mostly used as food, food condiments, income and medicine by rural households. Therefore, people in the study area rely on daily consumption of NTFPs to be healthy and strong as confined by Diaz-Briquet (1992) that animal played a vital role in optimizing human growth and performance thus reducing to a great extent malnourished population. Majority of people depend on NTFPs for sustainable livelihood. They extract NTFPs on daily basis as means of income generation. Fruits are eaten raw or cooked and when in surplus quantity sold. The importance of NTFPs in energy generation vis-à-vis fuel wood cannot be overstressed. The problems faced the rural household in NTFPs production an utilization include limited capital, poor storage facility, semiprocessed products, poor infrastructure, highly labor intensity, lack of access to extension services and improved technology. Table II: Non-Timber Forest Products Species, Source, Scale of Production and Method of Production in Study Area. Status OBAN OJOR NSAN IFUMKPA MBARAKOM UYANGA Total Total (%) Types of NTFPS Bush meat Vegetable Construction Pole Wrapping Leaves Snails Chewing Stick Fruits/nut Fuel wood Mushroom Source of NTFPs Home garden Primary forest Secondary Bush Swampy area Markets Scale of Production Small scale Medium Scale Large scale AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

7 Method of production Farmed Freely picked Poached SOURCE: Field Survey (2012) The result of study (Table 3) shows that 65.8% relies on personal saving as source of capital for NTFPs production without any form of loan and government. Household labour constitutes 65.8% of these engaged in NTFPs production while 86.7% of those depending on NTFPs for livelihood with an income ranging from N10, 000 to N20, % of the respondents admitted that there is available market for NTFPs. 83.4% of the respondent s complaint of either lack of access or non-availability of the extension agents. It was revealed that 59.2% of respondent were involved in production of NTFPs only followed by 30.8% for production and processing while 10% only deal with processing alone. Table =III: Constraints of Non-Timber Forest Products Production in Study Area Parameters OBAN OJOR NSAN IFUMKPA MBARAKOM UYANGA Total Total (%) Source of Capital Personal savings Friends & Family Load Income N1,000-N10, N11,000-N20, N21,000-N50, Labour Household member Hired labour Storage facility Commercial owned Government owned Co-operative Available market for NTFPs Yes No Access to extension agent Often Not often AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

8 Never seen Production means Production only Processing only Production & Processing SOURCE: Field Survey (2012) 8. CHI-SQUARE RESULT Table 4 showed that there is a significant association between socio-economic of respondents and rural household exploitation of NTFPs in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State. Furthermore, all the variables tested gave a significant association. The contributions of NTFPs to household nutrition and income reflect 92.5% of the respondents while only 7.5% of the respondents admitted NTFPs for medicinal and cultural values. Majority of the respondents (74.2%) claimed complete knowledge of NTFPs nutritive values to household nutrition and 68.3% of the respondents consumed NTFPs daily because it is available and affordable. Table IV: Variables to Aid Food Security and Development of the Respondents. Variables Df X 2 Cal X 2 Tab Remark Income Significant Consumption do- Household size do- Participation do- Knowledge on nutrient of NTFPs do- SOURCE: Survey data (2012) 9. CONCLUSION The economic benefits of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural households in terms of providing food, creating employment and serving as a source of income for rural development are overwhelming and are acknowledge of people (55.5%) made well above N11, 000 from the sales of NTFPs per season and most of them depend on NTFPs for sustenance especially in the area of secured provision of food and the concern to reduce the risk factor of food insecurity. The study concluded that the contribution of NTFPs towards rural household, food security and development is statistically significant in areas of usefulness to rural dwellers, income generation, daily consumption by households and knowledge of its nutritive values. In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that governmental all levels should ensure that there is a well organized training and retraining of NTFPs exploiters to improve their knowledge on the AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

9 overwhelming benefits of NTFPs and the need for its sustainability. Non Governmental agencies, individuals and cooperate bodies should join in the enlightenment campaign towards effective alliance against food insecurity. The problem of inadequate capital should be tackled through provision of loan with little or no interest. There should be provision of storage facility and other infrastructural facilities such as a good access road, electricity, good and affordable pipe borne water. Open and close season policy on harvesting of NTFPs should be practiced to regulate availability. REFERENCES 1. Ahenkan, A and Boon E. K(2010). Commercialization of Non-Timber Forest Products in Ghana; Processing, Packaging and marketing. Journal on food Agriculture and Environment, 8(2): Anamayi S. E., J. A Bamikole and Thomas (2004). Contribution of Locust bean fruits to household food security and poverty alleviation among rural dwellers of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna. Forestry Association of Nigeria Annual Report, pp Andel, T.V. (2006). Nontimber forest products the value of wild plants. Agromisa Foundation and CTA, Wageningen. 3. Ayeni, J., Sunderland, T. S and Besong (2003). Distribution, utilization and sustainability of non- timber forest products from takamanda forestry Reserve. Cameroon Smithsonian institute/mab Biodiversity program series 8 Washington D.C. Smithsonian. 4. Chen R. S and Kates R.W (1994). World Food security prospects and trends food policy, 19(2): Fiseha, Y. and Milimo, J (1988). Rural Small Scale Forest Based Processing enterprises in Zambia. Report of a 1995 FAO Pilot Study. 6. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation (FAO, 1992). Forest, Trees and Food. Rome: pp Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation (FAO, 1992). Forest History Society. Durham NC, pp Food and Agricultural Organization (1995). Non-wood forest products 7: Non-wood forest products for rural income and sustainable forestry. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome Italy, pp Food and Agriculture Organization United Nation (1997). Wildlife Utilization and Food Security in Africa. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. pp Jimoh, S. O (2006). Sustaining the Roles of Non-Timber Forest Products in Rural Poverty-Reduction and Household Food Security in Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries International, 1 (2): Marshall E., Newton A. C., Schreckenberg, K (2006). Commercialization of non-timber forest products: Factors influencing success: Lessons learned from Mexico and Bolivia and policy implications for decision makers. UNDP World Conservation Monitoring Centre: Cambridge, UK. 12. Neuman R. P., Hirsch, E (2000). Commercialization of Non-Timber AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July

10 Forest Products: Review analysis of Research. 13. Okafor, J. C., Omaradion, F. I. and Amaja (1994). Non-Timber Forest Products (Nigeria): Consultancy paper prepared by the Tropical Forest Actions Programme (TFAP) Forest Management, Evaluation and Coordination Units (FORMECU) and Federal Development of Forestry (FDF) Abuja, Nigeria. pp Olawoye, J. E (1996). Farming the issues relating to Non-Timber Forest Products Research. pp Runtlinger, S (1985). Food Security and Poverty in LDCs. Financial Development. Dec. pp Sale, F. A (2006). The Processing and Marketing of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Nigeria. In Popoola L. (ed.) Proceeding of the 31 st Annual Conference of Fan held in Makurdii, Benue State, Nigeria, pp Shackleton, C. M. and Shackleton, S (2006). The importance of Non- Timber Forest Products in rural livelihood Security and as safety Net: A Review of Evidence from South Africa. South African Journal of Science, pp Varughese, G., Ostrom, E (2001). The contested Role of Heterogeneity in collective action; Some evidence form community forestry in Nepal. World Development, 29: Wollenberg, E. and Septiani, N. A (1998). Estimating the incomes of people who depend on Forest. In: E Wollenberg, A Ingles (Eds): Incomes from the Forest: Methods for the development and conservation of Forest products for local communities. Bogor: Centre for International Forestry Research, pp World Food Programme (2007). Ending child hunger and undernutrition Initiative Rome. Global Framework for action. World Food Programme, pp World Health Organization (2009). Nutrition and Health Geneva: World Health Organization, ( ex). Html accessed on 15 December Shomkegh, S. A., Tember, E. T. and Tem, O (2008). Ethno-botanical survey of the Non-Timber Forest Products in Makurdi Local Government of Benue State. In Popoola (ed). Proceeding of the 32 nd Annual Conference of FAN, held in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, pp AJSIH ISSN: Vol. 3 Iss. 4 July