Determinants of Utilization of Selected Forest Fruits in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Agriculture International - Year 2016, Vol 12, Issue 5
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the factors that affect the utilization of selected fruits in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Data were collected using well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using Multiple Regression Analysis and descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages. The results indicated that 68% of the respondents were male, 39.9% had secondary education and majority of the respondents were farmers. The results also showed that most of the respondents (98.2%) bought their fruit from the market. The result indicated that 100% of the respondents had adequate knowledge on the existence of Dacryodes edulis (eben), and 95% on Cola argentea (ndiya), while few of the respondents (27.9%) had little knowledge on the existence of Maesobotrya dusenii. The result also revealed that numerous benefits such as food, income medicine are derived from fruits and that lack of money (91%), non-availability of the fruits, and deforestation of the forest (64.9%) were the major constraints faced in the utilization of these forest fruits in the study area. Result of the regression analysis revealed that age was positively related to the value of forest fruits utilized. The level of education was positive and significant (P<0.10). Income was positive and significant (P<0.10) implying that as income increase, the quantity of forest fruits consumed is likely to increase correspondingly and vice versa. Also forest fruits are versatile in their uses as food for man and animals, source of medicine and income generation. They could be obtained from the forest, homegarden and markets. Socioeconomic factors such as age, educational qualification, and income influence the utilization of the forest fruits extension activities should be carried out to enlighten the public on the uses and importance of the different forest fruits. Also policy makers should enact laws which would strictly discourage deforestation. This will ensure adequate and all-year-round availability of the different forest fruits in the state.
Authors and Affiliations
I. K. Gideon, U. U. Akpan, I. E. Akpan
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351406
- DOI 10.9734/AJEA/2016/26602
- Views 84
- Downloads 0
Factors Influencing Tomato Farmers’ Perception of Climate Variability: Evidence from the Offinso North District, Ghana
This paper sought to analyse tomato farmers’ perceptions of climate variability in the Offinso North District, Ghana. A cross-section of 378 tomato farmers were interviewed to examine what they perceive climate variabili...
Effect of Alternative Housing Systems on Blood Profile of Egg-type Chickens in Humid Tropics
Aims: General well being of animals is of paramount interest in some developed countries and of global importance hence the shift to alternative housing systems for egg-type chickens as replacement for conventional batte...
Profitability of Yam-Maize-Soybean Enterprise among Resource Poor Farmers Using Herbicide for Weed Control in the Northern Guinea Savanna
This study examined the profitability of herbicide weed control in yam-maize-soybean enterprise, factors influencing it, as well as the problems encountered by the farmers using this weed control measures. The study was...
Root Morphology and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop under Reduced Irrigation in Delhi (India) Weather Conditions
Aims: Water is one of the most valuable resources for the survival of civilization. Assured supply of water is necessary for sustainable agriculture. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important staple food crop in India...
Molecular Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Bacteria Associated with Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) From Ebute Iboro Location on Yewa River
Bacterial isolates associated with Clarias gariepinus were collected from fish samples gotten on Yewa River in Ebute Iboro. The isolates were assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing method to identify the strains and to...