Abstract

Exploitation of NWFPs poses serious threat to sustainable forest management in Nigeria. This study analyzed the driving forces for exploiting forest products in Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires that were randomly administered to farmers. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis and Tobit regression. Results show that monetary worth of monthly collections of NWFPs is N12,167.50 and fuel wood has the highest average monthly collection worth N 3,576.50. The Tobit regression shows that community variable sex, age of house heads number of dependant farming as primary occupation, having alternative means of meeting the needs for NWFPs and dependants income show statistical significance (p<0.05). It was recommended that efforts to reduce degradation of NWFPs must consider development of research into provision of alternatives to some of the resources, reduction in demographic pressure and keen consideration of some cultural gender factors.

Key words: Degradation, forest products, exploitation, Ondo state.