African walnut seed (Tetracarpidium conophorum) is rich in protein and phytochemical with great potentials for food application, but has limited uses in food industry. The African walnut seed was procured from Oje market and commercial wheat flour in Aleshiloye market, Ibadan. The commercial wheat and African walnut flours were composites of varying ratios; 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40 to prepare cookies and labeled samples X, A, B, C and D respectively. The proximate composition, anti-nutrients (oxalates, phytate and protease inhibitor), phyto-chemical (tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and sensory evaluation of the cookies were determined using standard methods. The result of proximate composition of cookies showed that carbohydrate (47.0-52.36%), protein (16.3-19.6%) and fat (18.5-19.2%) were the major components in the cookie samples. Other components including; moisture (7.7-8.4%), ash (4.1-4.2%) and fibre (0.9-1.8%) were generally low. Anti-nutrient factors of cookie samples ranged from 11.3-17.7mg/100g for Phytate and no traces of oxalates and protease inhibitors in all cookie samples. Control cookie sample had no traces of tannin, flavonoids and saponins, but enriched cookie ranged from 10.3-14.7mg/100g; 3.4-5.7mg/100g and 10.7-15.3mg/100g, respectively. Phytochemical constituents of cookie samples in ORAC ranged from 3.4-12.0mg/100g and alkaloids (3.7-7.7mg/100g). Organoleptic panelists preferred sample X to all other samples, followed by sample A. Inclusion of 10% African walnut flour compared favorably with wheat cookie in terms of sensory quality.
Cassava root storage is limited by Post harvest Physiological deterioration (PPD), which renders cassava root unpalatable and unmarketable. The research work was aimed at analyzing delayed PPD, total carotenoids (TC), starch content (SC) and dry matter (DM) of some selected cassava cultivars and correlating the variables to ascertain their relationships. We planted twenty cassava cultivars at the western farm of the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike which were replicated twice and the different cultivars served as the source of variation. The design of the experiment was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The cassava cultivars were harvested after the twelfth month of planting and root and shoot biomass taken. The roots obtained were taken to the laboratory to evaluate for PPD, TC, SC and DM. The results obtained were analysed using GENSTAT to obtain the ANOVA, Correlation Coefficient and the mean separated using LSD. The correlation result showed that PPD was inversely correlated to TC, although the association was weak. SC and DM were however, directly correlated to PPD. TC was inversely correlated to SC and DM, although their correlation was weak. SC and DM were directly and strongly correlated.
This study seeks to evaluate the potential health risks associated with the consumption of selected heavy metals in soils and selected vegetables from polluted sites. The vegetable includes; Gongrenema latifolium (GL), Ocimum gratissimum(OG), Vernonia amygdalina(VA) and Talinum triangulare (TT), harvested from a crude oil polluted area in Bodocity, Ogoniland., Rivers State. The concentrations of Fe, Pb, Zn, Mg, Cd and Cr were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The mean concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Zn, Mg, Cd and Cr ) for the samples ranged from 0.36±0.01 in GL (Control) to 16.82±0.01 in the polluted soil (SS); Fe>Zn>Cr>Pb>Cd. Health Risk was assessed by computing the average Daily Intake of Heavy Metals, Target Hazard Quotient and Carcinogenic Risk for Heavy Metals. The daily intakes of Heavy metals from vegetable consumption were within the threshold values for Cr, Zn, Pb, and Cd except for contaminated soil, which exceeded the threshold value. The observed THQ of Cr, Zn, Pb and Cd were generally 1 for Fe which maybe a concern to consumers of crops planted in the Bodocity soil. The CR values of Pb, Cd and Cr in GL, VA, TT and SS were within 10-6 to10-4, indicating that consumption of vegetables grown in the oil spilled area may likely result in cancer over a period of 70 years. The CR values indicated in this study were within the predicted permissible lifetime cancer risk (10-6-10-4) for all the samples assessed, constant consumption/exposure to these Heavy metals may result in their bioaccumulation overtime which is implicated in serious health risk.
This study assessed livelihood diversification and settlement patterns among agro-pastoralists in Ibadan/Ibarapa Agricultural Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 106 agro-pastoralists, while data were collected with the aid of pre-tested and validated interview guide. Data were subjected to descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean) and inferential (chi-square) statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results revealed that the mean age of respondent was 43 years, and that 60.4% of the respondents were sole owner of their cattle. The major livelihood activities were sale of cattle, crop farming and sale of milk/milk products. Findings also showed that many of the agro-pastoralists practiced either the transhumance (25.5%) or semi-transhumance (55.7%) settlement patterns. It was further revealed that the respondents benefited from equitable access to land, expansion of business trade and market integration. Some of the challenges faced by the agro-pastoralists include; cattle defecating on streams and roads (78.3%), extensive sedentarization (80.2%), farmland invasion by cattle (85.8%), and overgrazing on fallow lands (80.2%). Chi-square analysis revealed that there were significant associations between settlement patterns and livelihood diversification; selling of milk and milk product (χ2 = 12.248, p≤0.01), cultivation of crops (χ2 = 15.362, p≤0.01), petty trading (χ2 = 7.957, p≤0.05) and commercial selling of livestock (χ2 = 9.456, p≤0.05). It was concluded that the transhumance or semi-transhumance settlement patterns adopted by the agro-pastoralists had positive influence on their livelihood diversification into different activities. It is therefore recommended that agro-pastoralists should diversify into more income generating livelihood activities.
In the light of the need to continue to supply food to the ever-growing Nigerian population which anchors on human labour productivity, this study analysed gender differentials in labour utilization and productivity among rice farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Data were collected through a multi-stage sampling technique and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, Z-test and multiple regression. The result showed that a combination of family labour and hired sources contributed most of the labour supplied for rice production for female (71.6%) and male (88.3%) rice farmers in the area. It is evident from the result that male rice farmers were more productive than their female counterparts. Labour utilization of the male farmers was positively influenced by distance, farm size, land ownership, credit and education, and for female farmers; was positively influenced by distance, farm size, age, and credit and negative by household size and extension. Also labour productivity of the male farmers was positively influenced by distance, farm size, age and credit and negative by land ownership, while labour productivity of the female farmers was positively influenced by distance, farm size, age and credit and negative by land ownership. The study therefore recommends that farmers utilize their family labour efficiently in order to reduce the hired labour, thereby, leading to a decrease in the cost of rice production and increase in farm revenue. Also government and stakeholders should assist farmers through timely and adequate input supply and access to more land, creating effective services (especially credit) and enabling environment, for efficient utilization of agricultural inputs on farms, which will lead to enhanced productivity among the rice farmers.
The study assessed the practice of value addition among rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. This study looked at the various constraints militating against value added rice in the study area, and factors affecting profitability within the value chain. Fifty rice farmers (respondents) were drawn at random from Abakaliki metropolis, for detailed analyses. Primary data were obtained through a well-structured questionnaire. The descriptive statistics used were frequency counts and percentages, and the predictors of rice value addition profit were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that 60% of the farmers sold rice as paddy, while 40% added value to their harvests. Lack of fund to expand the value addition enterprise was identified by 42% of the farmers as the major constraint to their desire to develop the rice value addition enterprise. The regression analysis revealed that cooperative membership, rice value addition as a primary occupation, household size, cost of labour, packaging and bagging are the significant and positively influenced the profit of rice value addition while the costs of purchasing seeds, paying for rent, and transportation were significant and negatively related to the profitability of the rice value addition farm enterprise. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that extended credit facilities should be employed to aid farmers to adopt innovations to prevent losses before and after harvest. There is also need for policies aimed at encouraging the formation of cooperatives societies among farmers to enable them reap the economics of scale within the value chain.
Food crop farmers, like other farmers, are faced with the challenge of producing sufficient crops to meet the ever-growing consumer demand in the face of limited resources. Specifically, the study examined the socioeconomic characteristics of the food crop farmers, determined their level of commercialization, innovation and performance, estimated the relationship between commercialization, innovation and performance, and estimated the determinants of commercialization, innovation adoption and performance of the food crop farmers. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique in the selection of 60 respondents for the study. Structured questionnaire complimented with oral interview was used in collecting data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The result showed that 68.33% of the respondents were married and the mean age of the respondent was 36.7 years. About 53.33% of the farmers were males and 90% of the food crop farmers had one form of formal education or the other. The mean years of farming experience and mean household size were 14.7 years and 6 persons per household, respectively. The major source of fund for their farming activities was from personal savings. Also, 75% of the farmers do not have contact with extension agents and 48.33% were members of farmers’ cooperative societies. The mean level of commercialization and adoption of innovation was 54.61% and 32.22% respectively. The result showed that food crop production was profitable as the farmers made a net return ₦246,200. There was a significant positive relationship between commercialization and innovation, and between innovation and performance. The significant determinants of commercialization were age (P<0.01), years of education (P<0.01), gender (P<0.01), income (P<0.01), farming experience (P<0.05), labour (P<0.01), distance to the market (P<0.10), and depreciation (P<0.01). The probit regression estimates showed that the significant determinants of adoption were age of the farmer (P<0.01), gender (P<0.01), educational attainment (P<0.01), extension visits (P<0.05), income (P<0.01), access to credit (P<0.01), cost of innovation adoption (P<0.05) and membership of farmers association/cooperative society (P<0.05). The significant variables influencing performance (measured by the net returns/profit from farming) of the food crop farmers were gender (P<0.01), age (P<0.01), education (P<0.01), farming experience (P<0.01), cooperative membership (P<0.01), amount of credit received (P<0.01), and transportation cost (P<0.01). The study recommended that policies that would enhance farmers’ adoption of innovations such as strengthening the agricultural extension system which serve as channel for diffusion of innovations, and access to credit and agricultural inputs should be implemented for increased productivity and commercialization. There is also need for free and affordable educational policies that will enable the farmers’ access and process information on innovations that will enhance productivity and commercialization. Farmers are encouraged to form groups/cooperatives to be able access information, inputs and resources, thereby enhancing economics of scale
The production and improvement of L-3, 4-dihydroxy phenylalanine (L-Dopa) content in Mucuna pruriens was carried out through cell suspension culture. Thirty days old healthy, friable and soft calli derived from leaf and stem of two varieties of M. pruriens: (IIHR Selection 3 and Arka Dhanvantari) were used for the cell suspension in Murashige and Skoog’s liquid medium supplemented with IAA (1.0mg/L), NAA (1.5mg/L) and BAP (1.5mg/L) with treatment of elicitors: chitin and pectin (100, 150, and 200mg/L), precursor: L-tyrosine (5, 10, and 15mg/L) and ascorbic acid (250mg/L). The highest percentage of packed cell volume (PCV) (42.4 ± 0.1) was observed in leaf-derived callus of AD variety with treatment L4: MS + NAA (1.5mg/L) + Pectin (100mg/L) + ascorbic acid (250mg/L). From the HPLC analysis, treatment T3c: MS + IAA (1.0mg/L) + L-tyrosine (15mg/L) + ascorbic acid (250mg/L) recorded highest peak area percentage of 31.19 at retention time (RT) of 2.36 against control (1.39) at 2.35 RT. L-Dopa concentration was observed to increase with increase in elicitor and precursor treatment. This shows that L-Dopa can be produced from natural source in desired concentration through cell suspension culture.
Akidi (cowpea), a landrace of Vigna unguiculata, was grown at densities of 30,121 (D1), 40,323 (D2), 50,000 (D3), 60,976 (D4), 80,645 (D5), and 0 (D6) plants/hectare in a randomized complete block design to assess the effect of intraspecific (between cowpeas) on its performance and weed smothering ability in the instance of utilizing it in intensive fallow management. At 10 weeks after sowing (WAS), the low-density plants (D1) were shorter (127.55 ± 1.84cm), produced highest stem diameter of 11.59 ± 0.86mm, and shoot dry weight/plant (12.46 ± 0.70g). The high-density cowpea treatment (D5) had the longest vines (197.93 ± 1.54cm) and relatively low shoot dry weight/plant (9.22 ± 0.64g). The D5 treatment was significantly better than other treatments in weed control and dry matter yield per unit area. Tithonia diversifolia and Sida acuta which are heliophytes were encountered in low-density treatments of D1 and D3, where the highest light intensities reached the soil.
This study was designed to analyze the determinants of Rural Youths participation in PITA-hybrid plantain production in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, Nigeria. Ninety (90) respondents were involved in the study using a multistage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics and logit regression were employed in analysis. Majority (72.2%) of the respondents were males, married (60.0%), belong to cooperative society (83.3%), had access to land (83.3%), access to credit (77.8%) and had 1-2 contacts with extension agents (61.1%). Planting had the highest mean score ( = 4.00), followed by harvesting ( 3.91), land preparation ( =3.80), propagation material ( =3.41) and farm decision ( =3.08), indicating high level of participation. The major constraints were insufficient PITA-Hybrid suckers ( =3.37), followed by land acquisition ( = 3.16), poor attitude to farming ( =3.00) and poor market access ( =2.99). The coefficients for educational level, and attitude to farming were directly related to probability of participation in pita-hybrid plantain production among the youths and significant at 5% level each, as well as labour, and suitable agro-ecological conditions (1% level each), and farming experience (10% level). The coefficients for age and farm size had an indirect relationship with probability of participation in pita-hybrid plantain production among the youths and significant at 5% and 1% level respectively. The results therefore call for policies aimed at provision of free and affordable education to enable the youth’s access and process information on innovations that will enhance participation and increased production of plantains in the study area. To forestall negative effects of age and farm size might have on participation in PITA-Hybrid plantain production, a public enlightenment on poor attitude to farming in the rural areas will help in positively changing rural youths’ perception about farming and its economic implication.
This study is a descriptive survey on the perceived benefits of poultry production and constraints faced in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital territory, Nigeria. A total of 133 poultry farmers were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires. A mean score of ≥ 2.5 on a four-point Likert-type scale was considered an important factor on benefits of poultry production. Results indicated that poultry keeping fosters poverty alleviation, improves standard of living and increase income as evidenced by mean scores of 3.86, 4.02 and 3.99 respectively. Respondents with a high mean score attests that poultry keeping assist in ensuring food security (4.12), reduce unemployment rate and boost the country’s gross domestic products (4.42). In descending order of importance, perceived constraints to poultry production were; disease outbreak (35.55%), high cost of feed (24.8%), insufficient finance (20.7%), lack of market (13.2%), pilfering of farm produce (5.8%) and low manpower (10.7%). Since poultry production is perceived to play beneficial roles in the study area, close attention must be placed on developing strategies that will reduce or remove identified constraints which can impede the growth of the industry.
This study determined the economic analyses of gari processing in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multi- stage random sampling technique was used for data collection, from the 300 respondents used for the study, with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The study showed that gari processing was economically viable as it generated an average gross margin and net farm income of ₦35, 000.00 and ₦24,500.00 respectively per 1000kg of cassava root processed. The major cost components of gari processing were found to be the total variable cost – mainly cassava root, labour, and transportation costs. Results of the multiple regression analysis showed that age, gender, and cost of cassava roots had negative influence on profitability of gari processing and were statistically significant; while access to labour, years of processing experience, household size, income and access to credit had positive influence on the economic returns on gari processing and also significant. The results therefore call for policies aimed at encouraging more female gari processors who are still strong and agile to increase gari processing by provision of inputs and services at subsidized cost. These inputs and services are not limited to credit and labour saving devices to reduce the drudgery in processing. Processors should ensure that they source their raw materials from the cheapest sources possible.
This study examined the small ruminant farmers’ perception of climate change in Moro Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, Nigeria. About 120 small ruminant farmers were selected for the study. Analyticall tools such as descriptive (frequency count, percentage, mean score) and inferential [Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC)] statistics were used to analyse the data. The result revealed that about 57.5% of the respondents were male, average age of 38.3years, income of N56633.33, and household size of about 5 persons. The average number of goat and sheep was 10 and 5 respectively. About 52% of the respondents utilized extensive system of rearing and 60.8% had access to extension services. About 77.5% of the respondents indicated Ministry of Agriculture as their main source of information on small ruminant production. The result revealed that planting of trees/erecting cover to serve as shades to reduce heat stress (90.8%) was the most frequently used adaptation strategies to climate change. About 59.2% of the respondents have high level/status of use of adaptation strategies. The highest ranked perception statement was increase in temperature (4.48), while disease outbreak and high mortality (2.78) ranked highest as factor affecting small ruminant production. It is therefore recommended that there should be provision of information on the adaptation strategies as climate change is now a reality that is not going away and provision of veterinary services to reduce disease outbreak.
The performance of any sector of the economy is primarily determined by companies operating in such a sector. The performance of listed companies using livestock products as a primary raw material reflects in the prices in which their shares are traded in the stock market. This article examined the impact of listed livestock-based companies' share prices on the Nigerian livestock subsector's performance (1996- 2016). The specific objectives were to identify some listed livestock companies in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); examine the trend of share prices and the number of shares of the listed livestock companies; and examine the listed companies' short-run and long-run impact of share prices on the Nigerian livestock sector performance. The data were sourced from Nigeria Stock Exchange and the World Bank Development Indicators, while descriptive statistics, unit root test, Johnsen cointegration, and error correction models were applied for the data analysis. The result showed that some listed livestock companies in the Nigerian Stock exchange are Livestock Feed Nigeria PLC, Nestle Nigeria PLC, and UAC Nigeria PLC. The livestock-based companies quoted in the NSE have a long-run impact on Nigeria's livestock sub-sector performance. The livestock sub-sectors long-term performance is hinged on the stock of companies operating in the sector. The government and entrepreneurs therefore, should invest more in companies operating in the sector.
Climate change is threatening the attainment of self-sufficiency in fish production in Nigeria. As a result, artisanal fishermen are developing adaptation practices that will reduce their vulnerability to climate change. The study therefore investigated perceptions and adaptation behavior of climate change among Artisanal Fishermen in Fishing Communities along Anambra River in South East Nigeria. The study adopted multistage sampling technique to select 240 Artisanal Fishermen. The results showed that the mean age of Artisanal Fishermen was 50 years and household size of 4 persons, with 52.5% married. On average, the Artisanal Fishermen have spent about 15 years. Majority (85%) of the respondents have formal education. Also, majority of the Artisanal Fishermen had access to credit for male (67.5%). Furthermore the result revealed that Artisanal Fishermen () were aware of the occurrence of climate change and the most widely used adaptation practice of the Artisanal Fishermen were changing of Diversification of livelihoods (), Information dissemination (), Improved housing (), Financial Support () and Community representative in disaster management (). Ordinary least Square regression result factors influencing adaptation behavior of climate change among artisanal fishermen in fishing communities along Anambra river Nigeria with an R2 value of 88.3% shows that marital status (5%), member of cooperative society (10%) and extension services (1%) were positively related to number of mitigation strategies used by artisanal fishermen in fishing communities, while household size (1%) was significant and negative. The study therefore, recommends that extension workers should be continuously trained and educated on current information about climate change to enable them enlighten and disseminate to fish farmers. This will enable update and synchronization of ideas with the Artisanal Fishermen.
The study examined the determinants of micro credit access among small holder farmers in Niger Delta, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in the selection of 384 farm households from four States out of the nine States that make up the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from primary sources using interview schedule guided by structured questionnaire. Descriptive and relevant inferential statistics such as frequency, percentages, mean, Heckman Double Hurdle Model and Poisson Model were used to analyze the data. Results obtained showed that; region of residence, education and organizational membership positively and significantly influenced access to microcredit, while total household income had a negative influence on access to microcredit. Also, results of factors that determined the amount of microcredit received by small scale farmers showed that: farm size and organizational membership positively and significantly influenced the amount of microcredit accessed while; interest rate had a negative and significant effect. In addition, factors that influenced frequency of microcredit accessed showed that: gender, education and interest rate were negative and significant, while, age, borrowing experience and social capital were positive and significant. The results call for policies aimed at provision of access to free and affordable education to enable farmers’ access and process information on credit opportunities. There is also need to encourage farmers to form cooperatives that will enable them access credit with ease. Land reform policies that will enable small holder farmer’s access more land is encouraged.
The study assessed the trend and impact of climatic change on output of cocoa crop in Nigeria from 1975-2018. Secondary data were used for the study. The data were analyzed by means of log linear trend analysis, quadratic equation, means and percentages and ordinary least square regression. Findings showed that cocoa output and climatic parameters of rainfall, temperature, radiation, relative humidity and sunshine exhibited significant positive trends during the 1975 -2018 period. Cocoa output had a compound growth rate of 2.0% per annum, while the climatic parameters of temperature, rainfall, radiation, sunshine and relative humidity had a compound rate of growth of 0.1%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 1.5% and 0.8% per annum respectively. Cocoa output and temperature showed stagnation in growth during the period under study. There were no significant differences in the average rate of growth between either of cocoa and each pair of the selected climatic parameters considered. In the long run, cocoa output was influenced by current values of area harvested of cocoa, rainfall, relative humidity, sunshine and time variable, while, in the short run, cocoa output was influenced by one year lag values of area harvested of cocoa, cocoa output, rainfall, radiation, relative humidity, sunshine and temperature based on the specified model. There was a fast adjustment to long run equilibrium among the short run independent variables that estimated the response of cocoa output to climatic change. The study shows that climatic change affected the production of the cocoa in Nigeria within the period under study. It is therefore, recommended that, if cocoa output is to be increased and sustained, those activities that encourage global warming should be avoided where possible or reduced to a bearable minimum in Nigeria.
Kunu is a non-alcoholic beverage consumed in Nigeria, and originated from the northern part of the country. It is being hawked by mostly women to earn a living, and originally produced using grains like millet and sorghum. Following the popularization of orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), Kunu was produced using variety 440293 of OFSP obtained from National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike. The production of Kunu from orange fleshed sweet potato was done at different fermentation periods of 0 hrs (Sample A), 6 hrs (Sample B), and 12 hrs (Sample C). The biochemical, microbial, sensory characterizations and cost analysis were carried out. The results showed that β-carotene content of Kunu was still retained compared to the fresh tuber sample. The sensory evaluation showed that sample B and C were most preferred to sample A in general acceptability, however, sample A ranked highest in appearance. The microbial analysis revealed that the microbial load of Kunu was low with 1.01CFU/mL x 106, 1.03 CFU/mL x106 and 1.04 CFU/mL x106 for A, B and C respectively. The cost analyses showed that Kunu from OFSP would be helpful in improving the income of rural women in Northern Nigeria.
The aim of this research work was to estimate the genetic variability and magnitude of the genetic components of some phenotypic traits among twenty African yam bean landraces collected from three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The accessions constituted the treatment which was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Accession seven performed best across the three locations in terms of grain yield, while accession ten had the least performance in term of grain yield. Levels of accessions and locations were significantly different (P<0.05) from one another for the studied traits except hypocotyl length, while accession x location interaction differed significantly (though at different levels) in all the traits except hypocotyl length, number of leaves per plant and pod length. The results revealed that phenotypic coefficient of variation were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for the traits studied. Broad sense heritability estimates were high in all the studied traits. Genetic advance as percentage values were moderate to high for all the traits. High heritability estimate values coupled with high genetic advance in the research work depicts that improvement can be made on the crop through simple selection. This study provides baseline information for improving African yam bean landrace.
The study assessed the livelihood diversification strategies among the arable farm households in the forest zone of Oyo State, Nigeria. A 3-stage random sampling technique was used to select a total of 160 arable farm households around some selected forest reserves for the study. A well-structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data. The analytical tools employed were descriptive statistics, livelihood index, and logistic regression model. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were male (57.5%), educated (81.2%), married (71.9%), and had a household size of about 7 members. Non timber forest products (NTFP) gathering (39.38%) was the most preferred livelihood diversification strategy followed by transportation business (16.88%), petty trading (13.75%), artisanal work (12.5%), firewood sales (6.25%), wage employed (4.38%), charcoal production (3.75%), timber sales (1.88%), and hunting (1.25%) in that order respectively. The forest-related livelihoods accounted for 52.5% of the predominant livelihood strategies, whereas, non-forest-related livelihoods accounted for 47.5%. The significant predictors of the probability of engaging in forest-related strategies include; primary education, and secondary education (10% each); tertiary education, and household size (1% each), and age of household head (5%). The study recommends the intensification of local capacities of the farmers such as access to education and training facilities to enable them access and process information, and credit to enhance their livelihood and minimize forest dependence.
