Abstract:
This study investigated the impact of deforestation on livelihood activities of rural women in
Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Specifically, the
objective were examine the impact of deforestation on crop production, small scale business and
crafting activities of rural women in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Ikwerre Local Government Areas.
This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of this study comprised of rural
women in the two Local Government Areas. Multi stage sampling method was used to select
respondents for the study. A self made survey questionnaire was the instrument used for data
collection. The instrument was structured in the pattern of Likert 5-point rating scale of
agreement. The instrument validated by expert and was subjected to reliability test using
Cronbach Alpha reliability Coefficient method. The reliability coefficient established was 82.
Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while z-test statistical
tool was used to test the hypotheses. Criterion Mean value of 3.00 was the minimum for
acceptance. It was found that rural women livelihood activities ranges from petty trading, crop
farming, weaving among others; it was further found that deforestation exposes crop to high
temperature which affects its yield, result in flooding that damages crops, results in scarcity of
raw material, over dependence on goods importation due to scarcity of foods, reduces number of
women involved in crafting, dwindles women passion for crafting due to lack of raw materials,
affects the interest for crafting due to lack of materials and equipment among others. It was
recommended among others that government should encourage rural women on tree planting in
order to mitigate the effects of deforestation so that rural women can be able to produce crop as
expected. |
