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Summary
The study assessed the effect of non-timber forest products on the standard of living of rural dwellers in Edo State. Primary data were collected from rural dwellers who reside in the village close to the forest. A total of 347 copies of questionnaires were administered. However, 270 respondents provided useful data for analysis were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics used were frequency cunts, percentages and mean scores, while the binomial test and binary logistic regression analysis were also used. Result of the analysis shows that majority of the NTFPs gathering was predominantly done by male (73.0% ) with mean age of 20.3 years and most (62.5%) engaged in gathering on full time basis. Majorities (93%) were not members of association and hardly had extension contact (7%). Major NTFPs gathered was firewood (86%). The monthly income of the gatherers in non-timber forest products was ₦ 27,072.1 and the earnings from other sources was however low (₦18,297.1). Non-timber forest products contributed 59.46% to rural dwellers standard of living, Respondents can sponsor their children to kindergarten (mean=4.40) and unable to give comfort for life (mean= 2.61). Finding shows that, years of experience and marital status were significant predictors of their living standard. However, the significant relationship for years of experience implies that the more years spent in non-timber forest gathering, the more experiential knowledge gained from participation in non-timber forest products gathering in the study area. They were able to afford primary health care services for their family (mean=3.96) and they provided all the five immunization including, BCG at birth, polio and DPT at 14 weeks for the family. According to the results of the study, constant heavy rainfall was considered to be the major constraints affecting non-timber forest products gathering in the area.
