Deforestation and sustaining plant non timber forest products availability to rural households for poverty alleviation in Delta State, Nigeria

The paper assessedhow deforestation affects the sustainable availability of plant Non-Timber Forest Products –NTFPs-to rural households in Delta state, Nigeria. Random and Purposive sampling techniques were used for the study. All together 75 rural households’ respondentswere sampled. Focus group discussions were used to improve the data collected. Structured questionnaire wasthe main instrument used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by experts from the field of study. Data wereanalyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages and means. Findings revealedthat deforestationtakes place through known methods like populationpressure, over-exploitation, logging and non-enforcement of Government policies. The availability of NTFPs wasnot sustained and little or no conservation measures were carried out by the rural households. Recommendations include among others that forest conservation initiatives by governmentshould allow the participation of rural households in programme formulations and executionsand management as regards NTFPs use and sustainability; there should be education and enlightenment ofrural householdson forest conservation and deforestation. There should alsobe encouragement ofthe in-situ and ex-situ cultivation of plant NTFPs andthose highly consumed in households which are atthe risk of being depleted orgoing intoextinction.