Authors :
Maiguru., A.A; Zaku S.S; Faisal Ibrahim
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3u3e39tu
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8126193
Abstract :
Several socio-economic factors may be
responsible for the preference of fuel-wood to other
sources of energy by the inhabitants of Northern Taraba.
These factors may therefore be considered as the
determinants for the preference of fuel-wood by the
inhabitants of Northern Taraba. However, these factors
are not studied or documented in the study area and
hence the need for this study.Two hundred and
seventy semi-structured questionnaires were developed,
validated and administered to the respondents using the
method of Adesoye, (2004) to generate data for this study
with only 265 retrieved. Data generated was analysed
using simple percentages and Logistic regression
analysis at α0.05.The result on
compendium indicated that, 22 trees belonging to 15
families were found to be used as fuel-wood by the
inhabitants of Northern Taraba. They families include:
Eurphorbiaceae (1); Bombacaceae (1); Leguminosae (8);
Sapotaceae (1); Mimosacea (1); Verbenaceae (1);
Olacacease (1); Bignoniaceae (1); Caesalpinaceae (1);
Lauraceae (1); Meliaceae (1);Anonaceae (1);
combretaceae (1); Ulmaceae (1) and Rubiaceae (1)
respectively (Table 2). Similarly,the result of logistic
regression analysis on the determinants for the
preference of fuel-wood to other sources of energy
showed; affordability, availability, reliability, Household
size and Educational status having the highest odds –
ratios of 2955.74; 60.08; 7.21; 6.84 and 3.71 respectively
(Table 2). Similarly, variables such as efficiency had
odds – ratio 0.02; safety, (0.00); marital status, (0.01);
sex, (0.00) and age (0.00) respectively (Table3).The
findings from this study indicated that, fuel-wood,
kerosene, gas and electricity are the various sources of
energy used by the inhabitants of Northern Taraba.
Similarly, affordability, availability, reliability,
household size and educational status were found to be
the determinants for the preference of fuel-wood energy
to other sources of energy used by the inhabitants of
Northern Taraba. Based on the major findings above,
the following are recommended; Avoid felling and
digging /uprooting as they are capable of killing the
entire plant or tree. The use of power chain saws to cut
or fell tree should also be regulated. Seedlings of trees
used as fuel-wood should be raised by government and
non-governmental organisations for onward delivery to
farmers for planting on the farms. When farmers plant
trees used as fuel-wood in their farms and around their
houses, the pressure on wild trees will be reduced.
Government should reduce and control the cost of
alternative sources of energy like gas, kerosene and
electricity .Government should introduce, improve and
affordable stores. Government should introduce tree
planting as a policy. Government should create
alternative sources of income by training respondents on
various skills acquisitions. Government should identify
and monitor charcoal producers. Government should
issue license to fuel-wood harvesters and processor to
check their excesses. Government should enhance the
implementation of forest laws and policies.
Keywords :
Determinants, Energy, Fuel-wood, Inhabitants and Preference.
Several socio-economic factors may be
responsible for the preference of fuel-wood to other
sources of energy by the inhabitants of Northern Taraba.
These factors may therefore be considered as the
determinants for the preference of fuel-wood by the
inhabitants of Northern Taraba. However, these factors
are not studied or documented in the study area and
hence the need for this study.Two hundred and
seventy semi-structured questionnaires were developed,
validated and administered to the respondents using the
method of Adesoye, (2004) to generate data for this study
with only 265 retrieved. Data generated was analysed
using simple percentages and Logistic regression
analysis at α0.05.The result on
compendium indicated that, 22 trees belonging to 15
families were found to be used as fuel-wood by the
inhabitants of Northern Taraba. They families include:
Eurphorbiaceae (1); Bombacaceae (1); Leguminosae (8);
Sapotaceae (1); Mimosacea (1); Verbenaceae (1);
Olacacease (1); Bignoniaceae (1); Caesalpinaceae (1);
Lauraceae (1); Meliaceae (1);Anonaceae (1);
combretaceae (1); Ulmaceae (1) and Rubiaceae (1)
respectively (Table 2). Similarly,the result of logistic
regression analysis on the determinants for the
preference of fuel-wood to other sources of energy
showed; affordability, availability, reliability, Household
size and Educational status having the highest odds –
ratios of 2955.74; 60.08; 7.21; 6.84 and 3.71 respectively
(Table 2). Similarly, variables such as efficiency had
odds – ratio 0.02; safety, (0.00); marital status, (0.01);
sex, (0.00) and age (0.00) respectively (Table3).The
findings from this study indicated that, fuel-wood,
kerosene, gas and electricity are the various sources of
energy used by the inhabitants of Northern Taraba.
Similarly, affordability, availability, reliability,
household size and educational status were found to be
the determinants for the preference of fuel-wood energy
to other sources of energy used by the inhabitants of
Northern Taraba. Based on the major findings above,
the following are recommended; Avoid felling and
digging /uprooting as they are capable of killing the
entire plant or tree. The use of power chain saws to cut
or fell tree should also be regulated. Seedlings of trees
used as fuel-wood should be raised by government and
non-governmental organisations for onward delivery to
farmers for planting on the farms. When farmers plant
trees used as fuel-wood in their farms and around their
houses, the pressure on wild trees will be reduced.
Government should reduce and control the cost of
alternative sources of energy like gas, kerosene and
electricity .Government should introduce, improve and
affordable stores. Government should introduce tree
planting as a policy. Government should create
alternative sources of income by training respondents on
various skills acquisitions. Government should identify
and monitor charcoal producers. Government should
issue license to fuel-wood harvesters and processor to
check their excesses. Government should enhance the
implementation of forest laws and policies.
Keywords :
Determinants, Energy, Fuel-wood, Inhabitants and Preference.
