ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF EUCALYPTS PRODUCTION IN MOKWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the economic analysis of Eucalyptus products on the livelihood of rural dwellers in Mokwa L.G.A. of Niger State. A purposive sampling technique was used to draw up 75 respondents. The data were obtained with the aid of questionnaire and interview schedule. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions, percentages, and farm budgeting model. It was found that, majority of the respondents who were engaged in (eucalyptus business are of middle age brackets (31 – 40 (26.67%) and 41 – 50 (22.67%), and also of men folk (80%). It was found that, in spite of the positive effect of Eucalyptus business, its sourcing impose dangers to those directly involved in the business (drudgery, scarcity of Eucalyptus, snake bites, inadequate preservative measure, problems of climbing and falling etc). The introduction of improved Eucalyptus seedlings and good preservative measures should be encouraged extensively. There is therefore, need for government, private as well as Non-governmental organizations to invest in Eucalyptus business, so that rural dwellers in Mokwa LGA of Niger State, Nigeria will have increased productivity, generate higher income and better standard of living.