Evaluation of Forest Fauna Utilisation for the livelihood of Farming Populace in Kogi and Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated Forest Fauna Utilisation for the livelihood of Farming Populace in Kogi and Niger States. To achieve the study objectives, 326 farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling methods. Data were collected from primary source using structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule. Both descriptive such as percentages, frequency and mean were used for this study. Findings revealed that the mean age of farming populace was 40.2 years, while the mean farming experience was 18.9 years. Also, 15.6% of respondents had primary education while 54.0% had access to extension agents. Majority (88.0%) of the respondents used radio as their source of information. About, 82.0% of the respondents utilised forest mammals for their livelihood while 32.2% utilised reptiles. The major environmental hazards encountered by farmers in the study area were wind blow (x̅=2.44) and bush burning (x̅=2.42). It is recommended that adequate and timely information should be made available by government through extension agents on the need to prevent environmental hazards associated with forest resources utilisation, other alternative means of livelihood such as off-farm activities should be encouraged in the study area to reduce dependence on forest animals that could lead to extinction of fauna species and farmers should inculcate the habits of practicing sustainable forest practices that will conserve fauna species in the forest which will go a long way in augmenting their livelihood.