Perceived Effects of Farmer Participation in Utilization and Conservation of Forest Resources in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State

Abstract

This study assessed the perceived effects of farmer participation in utilization and conservation of forest resources in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. Data were collected from 150 farmers randomly selected, using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using both descriptive (percentages, frequencies and means) and inferential statistics (multiple linear regression).  Result of the analysis indicated a low participation of farmers in forest conservation. The farmers however, had a positive perception on the fact that community participation in forest conservation increases job opportunities ( 4.65) and reduces poverty (4.16). Result of the linear regression analysis revealed that age had a negative (-0.009142: p < 0.01) and significant relationship with farmers’ perceived effect of community participation in utilization and conservation of forest resources, while household size (0.0169081: p < 0.05), education (0.0503444: p < 0.1) and farm size (0.1228889: p < 0.1) all had positive and significant relationships with farmers’ perceived effects of community participation in utilization and conservation of forest resources. It was concluded that farmers’ participation in conservation of the forest was very low. The need for sensitization of the farmers on the importance of participation in forest conservation by all the stakeholders was recommended.