The importance of trees for the survival of the poor in Annangland, Nigeria

Abstract

Per capita income is low in Nigeria. In some rural areas it is below US $30.00. This level of income has forced the rural poor to rely on accessible natural resources for survival. To find out the role of trees in this regard, six villages in each of the six local government areas of Annangland were studied. Fifteen households were interviewed per village, using the participatory rapid appraisal method of data collection. It became clear that the rural poor in Annangland planted trees and protected self-sown trees for commercial, medicinal, social and agricultural reasons in addition to varying their diets. Some policy measures are considered for purposes of conserving resources upon which the poor depend and of revisiting relevant regulations and traditions in the interest of the rural poor.