Non-Timber Forest Products and Poverty Reduction Policy Framework in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study aimed at using NTFPs businesses in Ikenne Local Government Area (LGA) to develop a poverty reduction policy framework for the region. Among many other NTFPs in the LGA, wrap leaf, fire wood and charcoal were adopted for this study. The design was the survey methodology, in which five communities were surveyed. Twenty questionnaires were administered in each of the communities, out of which eighty- eight were returned, consisting of Ilisan (25%), Ikenne (21.59%), Iperu (19.32%), Ogere (11.36%) and Irolu (22.73%). The main outcome measurement was to evaluate how investment in NTFPs impacted the local economy of Ikenne LGA, in the light of creation of employment and generation of income, consequent to reduction of poverty. At both the 5% and 1% (1-tail) significance levels, the selected correlated variables were significant and linearly correlated. Consequently, and based also on the <0.05 values of all the p- values, the educational qualification and type of NTFP, source of collection and total sale per week, bundle buying cost and bundle price etc, were significantly correlated. However, the correlation coefficient showed a disaggregated effect on the individual communities. Generally, only the uneducated are investing in NTFPs. Ilisan was highest for primary, while Ikenne recorded the highest of 47.4% for non-formal education. Due to percentage differentials among the communities in the aforementioned causative variables, there were different empirical evidences in the communities’ total sale per week, net profit per week, benefit derived and help from benefit. Currently, NTFPs business yields low economic advantage to the local investors. The financial benefits in the form of income and profit are used for feeding, savings, educational and tax purposes. The full potential of NTFPs is far from being realized in IKenne LGA. Much improvement in poverty reduction will be achieved when the major constraints are addressed and the prohibitive or in some cases, the nonexistent government policies are reconsidered.