Browsing by Author "Popoola, L"

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Assessment of Agroforestry Practices as a Land Use Option in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria
(Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ibadan, 2005) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L; Amusa, T.O
The paper examines the adoption of agoforestry practices as a land use option in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. Data were generated from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were obtained from structured questionnaire and direct interview of farmers in the study area, using purposive simple random sampling technique. Fifteen farmers were randomly sampled from each of the ten cells of Atisbo Farmers Association of Nigeria with 440 members. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential test statistics. Results show that although perception of farmers on agroforesty practices varied among respondents, out of the various forms of agroforestry being practiced in the study area, the tree crop system was dominant with a modal frequency of 67.3%. It was also discovered that farmers adopted agroforestry practices for various reasons. The most popular of which was the food and financial gains that accrued from the planning of fruit trees. However, paucity of information, bush burning, labour required and non-availability of incentives were considered as major constraints to the practice of agroforestry in the area. Test of hypotheses showed that although there existed significant differences in the type of agroforestry practices among the farmers in the study area (X2 = 39.60; df = 33; Pr = 0.19), there was no significant variation in the perception of agroforestry among the farmers. It was also noted that there was significant enhancement in the soil fertility of the study area through the practice of agroforestry (X2 = 3.81; df = 4; Pt = 0.43): and that there existed significant relationship between agroforestry practices and productivity in the study area (X2= 209.74; df 48; Pr < 0.01). An implication of the findings is that agroforestry presents huge opportunities for food production and developing forestry practices in the study area.
An assessment of the forest regeneration potential of the taungya system of farming in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria
(NISC (Pty) Ltd and Taylor & Francis, 2017) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L
Balancing forest regeneration and meeting food and fibre needs of Nigeria’s ever-increasing population challenges is imperative to her sustainable development. Two methods of artificial forest regeneration practiced in Oyo State, Nigeria to meet these challenges are direct planting and taungya systems. This paper reports the performance of the taungya system of forest regeneration in Osho Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria with a view to harnessing information for informed and effective policy decision on sustainable forestry development. Four out of seven taungya centres within and around the reserve were purposively studied using questionnaire administration, oral interviews and direct field measurement. Direct field measurement was undertaken in 10 temporary sampling plots, each measuring 25 m × 25 m. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at P = 0.05. The taungya farmers in the study area were male and a majority (76.0%) had no formal education. More than half of the farmers (56.0%) had knowledge about taungya and silvicultural operations, while 82.0% of them had no other farm outside the taungya farm. The observed survival of trees planted on the farms was high. Significant variation was observed in the circumference at breast height (Cbh) of species under the direct planting and taungya systems with Gmelina arborea contributing to most of the variation and the differences in stand age. The survival percentage of tree species under taungya was higher (52.0% ha−1) than that under direct planting system (41.0% ha−1). The study identified lack of credit facilities, inadequate funding and ignorance of the advantage of tree crops on tropical farmland as well as inadequate technical support as the major constraints of the taungya system. The taungya system is effective for forest regeneration albeit taking care of farmers’ interest beyond the tree canopy closure age is recommended, if more trees are expected to survive.
Awareness and acceptability of the usefulness and products of jatropha curcas (L.) plant in Kano State, Nigeria
(Advanced Journals, 2013-11) Umar, A.F; Azeez, I.O; Popoola, L
Inadequate alternative sources of energy and low income engender unsustainable exploitation of the environment by the inhabitants of semi arid regions. Literature abounds on the potentials of Jatropha curcas as an alternative source of energy. This study reports the awareness and acceptability of the energy and other potentials of J. curcas in Kano state. Primary data were collected using FGDs and a set of structured questionnaire administered randomly on 1280 farmers. Information were sought on level of awareness about J. curcas, proportion of farmland available for its planting, level of acceptability of its products, government incentives and consent to utilize J. curcas and substitute petroleum diesel with J. curcas biodiesel. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit regression at p = 0.05. The usefulness of J. curcas for farmland boundary (100.0%) and homestead planting (98.48%) were more popular while its use as live fence was the most (99.24%) acceptable among the respondents. Also, 68.18% of the respondents accepted Jatropha oil while 90.91% accepted its biodiesel. About 83.3% of the farmers had less than a quarter of their farmlands planted with J. curcas. However, if market outlet and incentives were to be provided by the government, 30.0% and 55.0% of the respondents respectively, indicated willingness to commit the whole and half of their farmlands to J. curcas plant production. Awareness of J. curcas is likely to influence knowledge on the importance J. curcas seed cake (odds ratio = 4.44) in Kano state. So also, its awareness will likely influence the willingness to use J. curcas oil (odds ratio = 2.34), its seed cake (odds ratio = 4.4) and biodiesel (odds ratio = 4.37). Awareness of J. curcas plant usefulness but not that of its products is very high in Kano State. Deliberate promotion of the plant products in addition to establishment of a Jatropha System for sustainability of its production among farmers is therefore recommended.
Community participation and sustainable forest management in Edo State
(Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, 2011) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L; Ikponmwonba, S.O
Contributions of forests to human well-being can only be sustained if the forests are sustained and local communities living within and around forest reserves have been identified to be central to meaningful planning for sustainable management of forest reserves. Studies in this direction are expected to contribute to poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and sustainable wood production this study is directed at ascertaining haw participatory approach involving local communities and other stakeholders can be used for sustainable management of forest reserves in Edo State. Stratified random sampling technique with a minimum of 30% sampling intensity was used to select 296 rural dwellers in the settlements within and around Ehor, Okomu, and Sakpoba forest reserves in the study area. Information was obtained on demographic and social status of the respondents, importance of the reserves to livelihoods, impressions about management system, forest resource use and willingness to participate in JFM using structured questionnaire, Rapid Rural Appraisal and Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and Chi-square test statistics at p = 0.05. None of the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents apart from religion (t = 2.39; P ≤ 0.02) in Okomu forest reserve significantly impacted their interest in forest conservation. However, ethnic background (t = 2.09), marital status (t = 2.22) and gender (t = -2.09) significantly (P ≤ 0.04) impacted interest in tree planting. Also, awareness of, and participation in local management activities were impacted by socio-economic status, most especially in Ehor and Okomu. Most of the respondents (85.14%) obtained produce from forest reserves , however, access to forest products was not significantly dependent on the income generating potential of the produce (X2= 9.35; df = 4). Some 14.43% of the respondents made an annual income of between N10,000:00 and N50, 000 while 57.5% of other stakeholders made between N1.5 and 3.5 million per annum. Conflict with forest officials is significantly (P ≤ 0.05) dependent on access to forest products (X2 = 70.44; df = 4) while perception of forest reserve law enforcement is not significantly dependent on access to forest produce. (X2 = 9.01; df = 4). Attitude of forest officials to forest law enforcement is a constraint to income generating activities in the study area. There exists no significant linear relationship between the willingness to participate in forest management and the identified socio-economic characteristics of rural dwellers in Okomu (F = 0.82), Sakpoba (F = 0.27) and Ehor (0.35) forest reserves. Also, apart from religion (t = 2.07) in Okomu forest reserve, none of the socio-economic attributes of rural dwellers had significant linear relationship with their opinion on JFM affecting livelihood (t = 2.07).
Determinants of mass participation in community-based forest management in South-western Nigeria
(2010) Fayenuwo, G. A; Azeez, I.O; Popoola, L
In Nigeria forest management is faced with increasingly complex challenges of reconciling the demands of various stakeholders. The new designated global role of the forests (conservation, biodiversity, producer of wood, carbon sequestration and aesthetics) is also posing fundamental conflicts between the state forestry services and the local communities. This paper analyses the views of various stakeholders against their demographic and socio-economic background with the view of determining mass participation in the management of community forests in south-western Nigeria. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select Lagos, Osun, Ondo and Ogun states for the study. The target population for the study comprised the local inhabitants and other categories of people such as artisans, civil servant, teacher traders, living in enclaves and settlements around the forest reserves in the study area. Data was collected using 3 different sets of questionnaire with test-retest reliability value of 0.85. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), was also used to elicit information on perceptions about income, household size, various management issues, indigenous knowledge, cultural values and views about other forestry stakeholders. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and Logit Regression statistics. The study revealed that determinant of mass participation in community forests (CF) or community based forest management (CBFM) are resource oriented, user or community dependent, forestry agency specific, programme related, and environment/forestry system specific. It was also found that communities around and within the forest reserves were heterogeneous in nature. The heterogeneity of caste, class, ethnicity, assets, household size, and income in the co-unities sampled were important determinant of stakeholders' level of participation in forest management. Logistic Regression Analyses revealed that ethnicity, level of income, awareness of CF benefits will significantly determine the willingness of the local people to participate in CF or CBFM in South-western Nigeria. An improvement of respondents' awareness of CF, joint determination of benefits from CF and inclusion of forest user groups (FUG)views in forest management content will go a long way at positively impacting forest management in the study area.
Forest conservation support communication (FCSC) for community forest development in South Western Nigeria
(Forestry Association of Nigeria, 2003-10) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L
The paper reports the prospect of both the institutional structure and personnel capabilities of government agencies responsible for rural development at impacting Forest Conservation Support Communication (FCSC) on the inhabitants of three conservation areas - Old Oyo National Park and Oluwa and Shasha forest reserves in southwestern Nigeria. The study was carried out with the aid of' structured questionnaires administered on the agricultural extension and, forest personnel of the states under which the conservation areas fall. The study reveals that 51.9% of the extension personnel in southwestern Nigeria are holders of university degrees/higher diplomas and 32.6% of them had put in more than 15 years of cognate service. However, only.2.8% of them claim to be forest extension workers. Apart from Oyo State where each personnel was in contact with more than 100 Farmers/month, others make contact with between 20 and 100/month. The study also reveals that although the communication capabilities o f change agents were not in doubt, their knowledge of forestry as well as their agencies' capabilities were near-nil. It is therefore recommended that a separate unit for forestry extension need be created in each of the states under study.
Impact assessment of unified agricultural extension system on agroforestry development in Oyo State, Nigeria
(Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L; Adebisi, L.A
The study assessed the impact of the unified agricultural extension system (UAES) on the adoption of agroforestry (AF) technologies in Oyo state, Nigeria. Modified stratified multistage random sampling technique was used, employing two sets of open-ended and structured questionnaires as the study tool. Study populations were the farmers and extension agents (EAs) under Oyo State Agricultural Development program (OYSADEP). One Hundred and Twenty-Five (125) and Ninety (90) questionnaires respectively were administered on the Farmers and Extension Agents, randomly selected from thirty (30) percent of the total number of cells in each block under OYSADEP's administrative zones Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used to analyse the data generated. The analyses revealed that seventy (70) percent of the extension personnel interviewed who had spent between five and ten years in service knew little or nothing about agroforestry. Also, less than half of the respondents (47.8%) were introduced to farm forestry by OYSADEP extension agents Apart from this, more than ninety-six percent of the farmers were found to be male, with most of them (71.5%) having only primary school education. Chi-square statistics at 0.01 probability level showed that tree husbandry is not strange to farmers and that farm forestry farmers were convinced on the importance of frees on farms. The analyses further revealed that OYSADEP extension agents were not providing incentives to encourage private participation in agroforestry practice; that OYSADEP extension personnel had no formal training in forestry and that OYSADEP was not favorably disposed to agroforestry extension. All these showed that rural farmers were aware of the importance of trees on farm, although not through OYSADEP extension network.
Indices of local community participation in forest management in South western Nigeria
(2013-07) Azeez, I. O; Fayenuwo, G.A; Popoola, L
Community Forestry (CF), a forest management initiative could help solve conflicting barriers to sustainable forest management. This paper reports the factors that will likely promote CF in southwestern Nigeria. Study sites were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Lagos State was purposively selected for the study based on its megalopolitan nature in addition to Osun, Ondo and Ogun states, which were randomly selected. Twenty percent (20%) of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the selected states were randomly sampled. Information was collected on demographic bio-data, socio-economic variables and participatory forest management indices from the local inhabitants in the sampled LGAs using structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics of the ratio scale model. Results revealed that respondents’ distribution was skewed towards the Yoruba ethnic group (92.9%); male gender (80.5%), one to five person household size (56.1%), married (87.5%) and illiterate (26.7%) population. Respondents were also mostly farmers (47.9%) associating more with cooperatives (45.0%) and with modal monthly income of between N10,000:00 and N15,000:00. Awareness about CF among the respondents was very low (23.8%) despite majority’s (70.8%) dependent on forest resources. Out of the fifteen indices of participation in community forest management (ranging from awareness of forestry project to contribution of human resource to maintenance of project) tested using the ratio scale model, awareness about forest project was the most important index of participation with mean People Participating Index (PPI) of 85. However, based on all indices of participation, Ondo state ranked highest with a PPI of 57.1% and Lagos ranked lowest (43.6%) in community participation in forest management. The study recommends more efforts at encouraging improvement in the indices of participation in forest management projects in the study area.
Land use activities among forest environments’ dwellers in Edo State, Nigeria: implications for livelihood and sustainable forest Management
(2010) Azeez, I. O; Ikponmwonba, O.S; Popoola, L; Amusa, T.O
Although urbanization may be increasing globally, over 75.0% of Nigerian populations are still living in rural areas. Extensive rainfed farming used to sustain this population is limited by loss of forest biodiversity, climate change and exposure of fragile soil. This study reports the socio-economic background of Edo State forests environments dwellers in relation to their land use activities with a view to positively harnessing the synergy of the two variables for improving human livelihood and by extension sustainable forest management. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 296 rural dwellers in settlements within and around three forest reserves: Ehor, Okomu, and Sakpoba. Information obtained was subjected to descriptive and chi-square test statistics at p = 0.05. Results revealed that the most popular land use activity within the forest reserves is farming (94.9%). A majority of the respondents practice mixed cropping with multiple choices of major crops through the taungya5 system. Socio economic status of rural dwellers affect their awareness of forest reserves, consent to use of forest reserves, willingness to plant trees on farm land and exploitation of forest resources. While participatory management of the reserves is expected to impact the economy of the study area, awareness of and exploitation of forest reserves as well as willingness to plant trees will on the whole influence the participation of rural dwellers in the management of the reserves.
Sanmora: sustainable forest management
(2009) Popoola, L; Bamidele, J; Jimoh, S; Azeez, I.O; Fayomi, G; Shoroye, O; Ayansina, M; Adewusi, H.G
Socio-economic factors influencing peoples’ participation in forest management in Benue-Plateau region, Nigeria
(2009) Dagba, B.I; Azeez, I.O; Popoola, L
Socio-economic variables of respondents from Benue-Plateau region of North-Central Nigeria were studied to determine their possible influence on participation in Forest Management. Multistage random sampling technique was employed for the selection of 460 respondents living in and around communal forest areas for questionnaire interview and 240 participants for focus group discussion. In addition, in-depth interviews were held with Directors of Forestry in each State. Data generated were analyzed at p = 0.05 using Logistic Regression to determine factors that influence participation in forest management in the study area. It was found that age (p = 0.018) and occupation (p = 0.000) had significant influence on aggregate participation. Also, occupation was found to have influence on individual participation in physical execution of work (P = 0.010), issuance of advice or directive (P = 0.000), decision making, (P = 0.000), donation of land (P = 0.000), leadership role (P = 0.000) as well as monitoring, directing and evaluation (P = 0.000). Age was found to have influence on donation of land (P=0.046) while attainment of primary education (P=0.018) and secondary education (P=0.000) were found to have influence on donation of land.
Stakeholders participation model for forest reserves: the case of Shasha Forest Reserve, Osun State, Nigeria
(2005-12) Jimoh, S.O; Popoola, L; Azeez, I.O
Status of forest reserve and forest management capabilities in Soutrhwestern Nigeria
(Forestry Association of Nigeria, 2011) Fayenuwo, G. A; Popoola, L; Azeez, I.O
The need for sustainable forest management cannot be over emphasized if the economic benefits of forests were to be met without ecological consequences. This pacer reports the prospect of sustainable forest management in the context of managerial capability in southwestern Nigeria, which is housing most of the forest resources relics in the county. The study was carried out in the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria comprising Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States using multi-stage random sampling. The target population for the study comprised the local inhabitants, forest management personnel and timber contractors/saw milers in each state. Information was sourced from each group using three sets of structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving group of people of the same sex and age groups from each target population. Secondary data were also obtained from State Forestry Departments and archives. Information garnered was analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that all forest reserves in Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos States have been intensively encroached upon; however the extent of the encroachment has not been fully established due to lack of adequate data in all the states. Most (98.6%) of the local inhabitants opined that the state government is solely responsible for the management of the forest reserves in the study area. The timber contractors /saw millers perceived law enforcement on forestry activities as low in Osun state (32.4%) and Lagos states (29.4%) but moderate in Ondo (42.3%) and Ogun states (26.5%). More importantly was the observation that government is more interested in revenue generation from the forests rather than their sustainable management, which 33.0% of the timber contractors/saw millers Inferred as responsible for the low regeneration drive from the sector. An average of 47.1% and 42.3% of the forest officials were also of the opinion that forest management in all the four states sampled was bad and very bad respectively. FGDs among them revealed that state governments have not gotten the capabilities of managing the forest estates effectively and efficiently. Their suggestions for mitigating the present management constraints centered on commensurable increase in the staff strength in Nigeria's Forestry Departments to meet forest extent and forest activities. Inappropriate policy framework was identified by all respondents as the underlying causes of much forest loss. The forestry official proffered preparation of management plan for each forest reserve (56.3%). education of stakeholders on sustainable management (17.6%), massive afforestation programme (36.6%) as well as private and community participation (31.7%) as sustainable forest management strategies.
Status of local participation in forest resources management in Southwest Nigeria
(2007) Fayenuwo, G. A; Azeez, I.O; Popoola, L
Community-based forest management has evolved in the past decade as an approach for the sustainable management of forest resources. This study investigated the status of local participation in forest resources management in Southwestern Nigeria. Study sites were selected using a combination of purposive and random sampling techniques from the six states within the region. The target population for the study were ‘the Public’, timber contractors and sawmillers (TCS) as well as forestry officials. Data, which were collected using structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were analyzed using descriptive and Chi Square statistics. Results revealed that Community-based forest management (CBFM) was not in practice in Southwestern Nigeria. Awareness of this initiative varied significantly among the three stakeholders interviewed for the study (the public = 23.8%; TCS = 56.5%; Forestry officials = 84.5%). Identified factors responsible for the non-existence of CBFM included non introduction of the management strategy by the government; lack of awareness on the part of the public; lack of policies and legislations to back up the management strategy; lack of institutional strategy/framework for CBFM at State Department of Forestry level among others. Meanwhile, there is a strong relationship between management styles of forest reserves and the inability of government to alone solve the problem of forest degradation (Pr < 0.01, χ2 = 11.146, df = 3). The pronouncement of new policies and promulgation of new laws in respect of participatory initiative will be the basis for sound footing of CBFM in the study area. A valuable starting point will be the raising of awareness level on this initiative, and also improving and strengthening relationships among stakeholders.
Strategic baseline study of Ajasse-Ipo watershed catchement Area
(2003) Popoola, L; Amusan, A; Soyombo, O; Fayomi, G; Bamidele, J; Taiwo, L; Adenekan, L; Jimoh, S.O; Azeez, I.O