The study was conducted to assess the contribution of Odoba forest reserve to rural livelihoods of the communities in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were administered to three hundred and seventy-six respondents in 188 households in four communities. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Fifteen different wood and non-wood products were collected by the respondents from the forest reserve with fuel wood products being the product mostly collected from the reserve (65.5%)  followed by water supply from the streams in the forest reserve  (59%). Others were edible vegetable (56.6%), folder (53.6%), mush room (53.3%), medicinal herbs (52.6%) and timber (50.3%), Bush Meat (46.7%), Chewing stick (43.0%), Pole (40.5%), Honey (37.8%), Snail (27%), Caterpillar (25%), Cricket (20.4%) and Climbers (19%). The result also shows that forest resources contributed very high to the livelihood of the people in the areas of food for household consumption, additional income, medicinal values, water supply and trading of forest products. Furthermore, the study results showed that the most need met by the people from the sale of forest products is feeding of households (19.4%) and investing in farming activities (13.8%). The communities differ significantly (P=0.05) in the contribution of the forest reserve to their livelihoods. The study recommends that State Government, local authorities and aid agencies should provide alternative sources of fuel energy by establishing village owned solar power plants and fuelwood efficient stoves. This will reduce dependence on the forest reserve for energy and also curtail deforestation of the reserve. Modified Taungya system in the reserve to engage households in forest regeneration efforts as well as the sharing of benefits from such efforts should be included in policies of the Government.

The study was conducted to provide information on students Willingness to Pay (WTP) for social services provided by tree species on the campus of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM), Benue State, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used to select 200 students from 10 Departments of the University. The semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the students. Vegetation survey was conducted to indentified tree species present in the selected colleges. The result of the study shows that Albizia zygia was the dominant tree species on the campus. Majority of the students (86.5%) were willing to pay (WTP) for social services of the tree species while (23.5%) were not WTP. Provision of shade (WMS= 4.19>3.00) and beautification (WMS=3.64>3.00) were the most social services provided by tree species. The mean amount the students were WTP for social tree services was N46 per month. Sex of the students differed significantly (P<0.05) from their WTP for the trees social services. Also, there was a significant difference (P<0.10) between the students level of study and their willingness to pay for the trees social services. The major reasons responsible for the insufficiency of trees on the campus as stated by the students were clearance for construction purposes (WMS4.15>3.00) and bush burning (WMS=3.62>3.00). It was recommended that harnessing of human, financial and material resources to address issues of sustainability of forest goods and services on the campus of FUAM should be prioritized. School administration, Departmental Staff and students should promote tree planting on campus.

Over the years enrolment of students in to forestry programme is always low and many of the students in forestry programme do not always choose the programme. This underpinned the need for a comprehensive knowledge about the reasons behind the low enrolment in Forestry and forestry-related disciplines, with a view to provide the needed data that will guide stakeholders in taking an informed decisions that will help in addressing the challenges that resulted in the shortage of manpower in the forestry and wildlife sector. Stratified random and purposive sampling techniques were used in the selection of secondary schools in Makurdi metropolis. A total of 195 students were selected for interview from six schools using Taro-yamane formula. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis. The study shows that 61.5% were male and majority of the students (68.2%) were within the age bracket of 11-15 years with mean age of 14 years. The students strongly agreed that they were aware of forestry as a course of study in high institutions (MWS =3.99, >3.05) and the career opportunities in forestry (MWS =3.67, >3.05). The level of students’ awareness of forestry as a course differ significantly (H=16.85 P<0.05) with type of school the students attended. Also, there was a significant difference (H=18.46, P<0.05) between the students’ level of awareness of career opportunities and types of school attended. The students’ strongly agreed that they will not choose forestry as a course of study in the high institutions because it is not their family choice (MWS =3.52, <2.95). The study recommends that parents should allow their children to choose any course of their choice instead of parents determining career choice for their children so as to enable effective study of career choices. Also government should make forestry agencies active and strong so that forestry graduates will be sure of job opportunities after school. There is need for massive public enlightenment on the importance and career opportunities in forestry.

Forest resource utilization poses a challenge to the balance between fragile ecosystems and impoverished populations. As population increases, the demand for forest resources and the resultant degradation are expected to increase. This study investigated the factors influencing utilization of forest resources in Odoba forest reserve. Probit regression model was used to assess the factors influencing utilization of forest resources in the reserve. Data was collected from 376 households using semi-structured questionnaire. The result of analysis shows that Age (β=0.006, (p<0.01), marital status (β = 0.157, p>0.05), household size (β=0.044, p<0.05) and years of residence (β=0.009, p<0.01) had positive significant influence on utilization of forest resources. However, education (β= -0.002, p<0.01) and income level (β= -7.69, p<0.01) had negative significant influence on utilization of forest resources from the reserve. There is need to invest in sensitization and training of households on commodity value chains which can boost income and reduce dependence on forests. Secondly, there is need for provision of low interest credit facilities to households for crop intensification. This will ensure that households have increased food supply and also increased crop residue to use as fuel wood instead of relying on the forests all-year-round as well as reducing expansion of agricultural land into forest demarcated areas. Youth and women development enterprise fund should be created by the government and made accessible as a positive approach towards development. Diversification of activities that can help generate income should be encouraged to avoid reliance on forest resources.

This study investigates the profitability of trade in Moringa oleifera (Lam) Fresh Leaves and also examine the Socio-economic characteristics of Traders in Taraba State, between June, 2018 and May, 2019. Applying a multistage Sampling approach, 342 and 97 traders were randomly selected and administered with questionnaire in the wet and dry seasons respectively, to elicit data, which were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results on the socio-economic variables showed that female traders (94.7%), age class 31-40 (36.3%), Married (65.5%), Household size of 8 members and above (69.6%) and non-formal education (51.8%) featured dominantly in moringa fresh leaves trade. Furthermore, Gross Margin (GM) analysis showed that the monthly income from Moringa oleifera (Lam) fresh leaves was highest (N372.50 ± 125.15) in Ibi Local Government Area (LGA), while Bali LGA had the least GM of (N 88.83 ± 91.40) in the wet season. In the dry season, Gashaka LGA had the highest GM of N 228.00 (± 78.55), while Jalingo LGA was the least with GM of N 57.50 (± 86.68). The comparison of GM and Quantity of leaves sold (QLS) in the dry and rainy seasons were not significantly different. The Rate of Returns on Investment (RORI), Gross Margin Index (GMI) and Unit Price (UP) in the rainy and dry seasons were significantly at 0.05 level of probability. It is therefore recommended that Government and Non-government organisations (NGOs) should educate the traders on the marketing of Moringa oleifera leaves; Government and NGOs should also make loans available at one-digit rate; Government should put in place a security outfit to curtail the incessant crisis in Taraba; and traders should form cooperative society to access loans with the Bank of Industry through the Anchor Borrower scheme.

The beauty of towns and cities is a function of its urban and architectural plan and design. Such design as high quality built environment consisting of buildings, access roads and public spaces cannot alone ensure that a town or city is an attractive and appealing place to live and work but that the landscape of parks contribute as much to the quality of the urban environment as good architecture (Sati and Joshua, 2015) Urban parks provide immense benefits and it is expected that much spaces in urban areas will be reserved for such purposes (Collins 2014). Studies on several African countries revealed that there is intense pressure on green spaces for different human activities resulting in persistent deterioration of these spaces especially in urban areas where the pressure is more profound (Kestermont et al.2011; Cilliers et al.2012). Parks and open spaces have often lost this funding competition, implying that parks have far less tax support than they used to. The role of urban parks in the general wellbeing of urban residents is well documented by scholars; Sati and Joshua, (2015) reported that the visual appearance and attractiveness of towns and cities are strongly influenced by their green spaces. When harmony exists between green spaces and buildings in neighborhood areas, it is simply functional, livable, amenable and enjoyable. Urban parks provide habitats for wildlife regulate microclimate and perform other valuable ecological functions (Gairola and Noresah, 2010). Report by other scholars such as (

The study was conducted to provide information on the level of consumption and income from palm wine and other industrial beverages in Cross River State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 82 sampled palm wine retailers in three geopolitical zones in the State. Semi-structured questionnaire, personal observations and focus group discussions were used to obtain data from retailers. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study showed that consumption level of palm wine per day in the zones were in the order, Northern (33.3 L) > Central (24.8 L) > Southern (19.4 L). However, the consumption levels of palm wine from the Central and Southern Zones were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other. The Consumption level of other alcoholic beverages; Harp, Goldberg, Origin, Dry gin, Heineken, Stout, Gulder, and Star per day in the zones were in the order Northern (23.9 L)> Central (20.4 L) >Southern (17.6 L). The income level from palm wine was N1845.54, N1538.40 and N837.60 from the Northern, Central and Southern Zones, respectively. Total Performance Index based on taste, availability, and cost shows that mean daily consumption level of palm wine was higher than all the other alcoholic Ancha et al.; AJRAF, 3(1): 1-9, 2019; Article no.AJRAF.48150 2 beverages in the study area. The study recommends that Government and other development stakeholders on economic and environment should play greater role in promoting potential entrepreneurship in palm wine as a viable alternative source of livelihood through creation of awareness and better incentives for sustainable management of this natural forest resource. Original Research Article

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