Effect of Deforestation on Livelihoods of Rural Households in Ejigbo Local Government Area, Osun State

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of deforestation on the livelihoods of rural households in Ejigbo Local Government Area, Osun State. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 120 respondents, of whom 80 completed questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed, resulting in a response rate of 66.7%. Data were collected through interview schedules and analyzed using descriptive statistics, while Chi-square and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that charcoal
production and sales (x̄ = 3.09) were the most prominent livelihood activities among respondents, reflecting households’ dependence on forest resources. The leading causes of deforestation were fire outbreaks (87.5%), livestock grazing (73.8%), and land clearing for crop production (73.8%). The most critical effects of deforestation identified were soil erosion (x̄ = 1.78), food shortages and hunger (x̄ = 1.70), and rural poverty due to job losses (x̄ = 1.68). Households adopted measures such as planting and replanting economic trees (x̄ = 1.53),
financial empowerment of indigenous communities (x̄ = 1.23), and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices (x̄ = 1.11). Results further showed that socio-economic variables such as sex, marital status, cooperative membership, access to credit, age, education, household size, years of experience, and income from livelihood activities were not statistically significant in influencing contributions toward mitigating deforestation. However, secondary occupation (Χ² = 22.281, p = 0.004) was significant, indicating that households with diversified income sources were more actively engaged in conservation efforts. The study concludes that deforestation poses serious
ecological and socio-economic challenges to rural households. It is therefore recommended that regular sensitization campaigns and training should be conducted to raise awareness of the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of deforestation