<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The study examined factors determining forest land use decisions among rural farm households in south-western Nigeria. Primary data on socio-economic and community characteristics as well as land use systems were obtained from 300 farm households using a structured questionnaire through a multistage sampling technique. The study revealed that marital status (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01), gender (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01), land tenure security (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01), dominant crop type (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), and preference for tree on farm land (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01) are factors influencing forest land use decision in either agroforestry, pure cultivation or in both practices. Land use choice proportion estimation shows that 63 % are still willing to retain their existing land use practice (pure cultivation). A total of 32 % are willing to shift completely from their existing land use practice while 4 % of the respondents are willing to practice both “agroforestry and pure cultivation” simultaneously. The study therefore suggests the need for a change in forest land use policy, particularly, with a view influence the pattern of use, limitation on type of crop that can be grown, and compliance to sustainable land use practice. This would go a long way in driving forest land use towards agroforestry – a practice identified as a means of ensuring food security while ensuring safe environment.</p></abstract>

The study examined factors determining forest land use decisions among rural farm households in south-western Nigeria. Primary data on socio-economic and community characteristics as well as land use systems were obtained from 300 farm households using a structured questionnaire through a multistage sampling technique. The study revealed that marital status (P < 0.01), gender (P < 0.01), land tenure security (P < 0.01), dominant crop type (P < 0.05), and preference for tree on farm land (P < 0.01) are factors influencing forest land use decision in either agroforestry, pure cultivation or in both practices. Land use choice proportion estimation shows that 63 % are still willing to retain their existing land use practice (pure cultivation). A total of 32 % are willing to shift completely from their existing land use practice while 4 % of the respondents are willing to practice both “agroforestry and pure cultivation” simultaneously. The study therefore suggests the need for a change in forest land use policy, particularly, with a view influence the pattern of use, limitation on type of crop that can be grown, and compliance to sustainable land use practice. This would go a long way in driving forest land use towards agroforestry – a practice identified as a means of ensuring food security while ensuring safe environment.

Determinants of forest land use decisions among rural farm households in south-western Nigeria

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management

Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The study examined factors determining forest land use decisions among rural farm households in south-western Nigeria. Primary data on socio-economic and...

Determinants of forest land use decisions among rural farm households in south-western Nigeria

Published Online: Aug 09, 2018

Page range: 83 - 91

Received: Nov 27, 2017

Accepted: Jul 03, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2018-0009

Keywords
forest, land use, carbon sequestration, agroforestry

© 2018 Ayoade Matthew Adetoye et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Determinants of forest land use decisions among rural farm households in south-western Nigeria

Published Online: Aug 09, 2018

Page range: 83 - 91

Received: Nov 27, 2017

Accepted: Jul 03, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2018-0009

Keywordsforest, land use, carbon sequestration, agroforestry

© 2018 Ayoade Matthew Adetoye et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
forest, land use, carbon sequestration, agroforestry