Can non-wood forest products be used in promoting household food security: Evidence from savannah and rainforest regions of Southern Nigeria?

Despite the importance of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) in household consumption especially in Nigeria, where 47 million people were unable to meet the 2,900 kcal food requirement in 2004, they have hitherto been neglected by planners policy makers and natural resource managers. To encourage its recognition and conservation, sustain benefits, this study analyses the place of plant species of NWFPs in household food security in Southern Nigeria. Data were collected from 400 households in Cross River and Enugu States of Southern Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and probit regression were used in data analysis. The study revealed that Bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis and I. wombolu), áfàng (Gnetum africanum), oil bean (Pentaclatra macrophyla), African mesquite (Prosopis africana) and bread fruit (Treculia africana) were the plant species producing NWFPs that were mostly used by the respondents. NWFP appeared in the meals of the households for 43.20% of the time. The daily documentation of meals showed that áfàng and Bush mango appeared mostly in meals of the households. Income from bread fruit (N27,116.67) was the highest, while the lowest (N15,000) income was from African bush pear and African star apple respectively. Household size, medium wealth, respondent being a civil servant and respondent being in business positively and significantly increase the likelihood of utilization of plant species of NWFPs. The high dependence of households on NWFPs and the high percentage of its appearance in meals justify increased attention by policy makers and inclusion in the national accounting framework in Nigeria