Abstract

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Edible forest and wildlife resources are marketed in every part of eastern Nigeria but their perceived economic values and marketing channels in Nsukka rural communities of Enugu state is yet to be documented. Data used for the study were collected through oral interview, focus group discussion and administration of two sets of structured questionnaire. Oral interview was conducted with selected individuals from the communities who have been involved in the utilization and marketing of edible forest and wildlife products. One focus group discussion separated by gender and age was conducted in each community. Two sets of questionnaire were administered in the six communities. First set of questionnaire was administered to 120 full- time marketers while the second set was administered to 120 part-time marketers and consumers. A total of 240 respondents were sampled using questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages while Chi-square was used to test for associations. Result showed that Parkia biglobosa was cumulatively ranked first in the order of demand in the three local government areas surveyed. Other species with high cumulative demand included Pentaclethra macrophylla, Irvingia species and Anacadium occidentale. The cumulative demand rank of species on local government basis was closely related to their cumulative rank in terms of income generation. However, in Igbo Etiti local government area Parkia biglobosa was ranked second while Cola acuminata was ranked first. In the case of wildlife resources, honey was the most demanded edible wild resource in the local government areas except in Igbo Etiti where bushmeat ranked first. In income generation, most respondents ranked honey first in the three local government surveyed. On community basis Parkia biglobosa and honey were still the most demanded edible forest and wildlife resources respectively. Result from focus group discussion included Parkia biglobosa, Pentaclethra macrophylla, Irvingia species, honey, Cola acuminata and bush meat among products of high economic importance in the study area. Irvingia excelsa was ranked first in Ohodo (95%), Umuida (95%) and Ozalla (90%).Parkia biglobosa was ranked first in Onicha (65%) and Obollo (60%). Cola acuminata was ranked second by 85% of respondents in Ohodo and Ozalla respectively, and third by 80% of the respondents in Umuida. Bushmeat was ranked second in Onicha (80%), ObolloAfor (75%) and Orba (60%) based on economic importance. Parkia biglobosa and honey were respectively among the most important species in the study area based on income generation. Parkia biglobosa, Irvingia garbonensis, Irvingiaexcelsa, Cola acuminata, Anacardium occidentale, Treculia africana, Nicotiana tabacum, Honey, snail and bushmeat were ranked very high in terms of profitability.

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