Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Forests play a crucial role in the livelihoods of farming households around the world. The exploitation of forest resources, including timber, non-timber forest products, and ecosystem services, can have both positive and negative effects on the economic well-being of these households. This study aims to investigate the effect of forest resources exploitation on the economic well-being of farming households, with a focus on both the direct and indirect impacts. The direct impacts of forest resources exploitation on economic well-being include income generation from the sale of timber and non-timber forest products, as well as the provision of ecosystem services such as water regulation, soil fertility, and climate regulation, which can enhance agricultural productivity and household income. However, the unsustainable exploitation of forest resources can lead to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and degradation of ecosystem services, which can have negative consequences for the economic well-being of farming households in the long run. In addition to the direct impacts, the indirect effects of forest resources exploitation on economic well-being are also crucial to consider. These include changes in land use patterns, access to markets, employment opportunities, and social dynamics within farming communities. For example, the conversion of forests to agricultural land can lead to changes in land tenure systems and resource competition among households, which can affect the overall economic well-being of farming communities. Furthermore, the study will explore the role of institutions, policies, and governance structures in shaping the relationship between forest resources exploitation and economic well-being. Effective institutional arrangements, such as community-based forest management and payment for ecosystem services schemes, can help ensure sustainable forest management practices that benefit both the environment and the livelihoods of farming households. Overall, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between forest resources exploitation and the economic well-being of farming households. By understanding the direct and indirect impacts of forest resources exploitation, as well as the role of institutions and governance structures, policymakers and practitioners can develop more sustainable and equitable strategies for managing forest resources to enhance the economic well-being of farming communities.

Thesis Overview

3.0 Research Methodology
3.1 Study Area
This study will be carried out in Delta State. The state is bless with fertile soil and favourable climate which make it an important producer of food and cash crops. Delta state is an oil production state of Nigeria situated in the region known as the Niger Delta, south -south geopolitical zone with a population of 4,098,291 (Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette, 2007). The state presented covers a landmass of about 18,050km of which more than 60% is land. The state has approximately between longitude 50.00 and 60.45 east and latitude 50.00 and 60.30 North. It is bounded in the north by Edo state, the east by Anambra State, South-East by Bayelsa. The state has a wide coated belt inter-lace with rivulets, which form part of the Niger Delta. Delta state was curved out of the former Bendel state on August 27th 1991. It consists of twenty-five (25) local government areas groups into three agricultural zones which are; The Delta North, Delta South and Delta Central. The Delta North (Delta Ibo) comprises of Aniocha, Ika, Oshimili, Ukwani, Ndokwa region while Delta South and Delta central are made up of Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri. The state enjoys tropical climate with two district seasons. These are the rainy season (April-October) and the dry season (November – March). The rainfall is heaviest in July. The temperature ranges between 200C and 340C with annual rainfall in the coastal areas is about 2557mm and 1905mm in the North.
The natural vegetation of the state varies from the mangrove swamps along the coast to every green forest in the fresh water zone and derived savannah in the north. Farming and fishing are the main occupation of the indigenes of the state major food crops and cash crops produce in the state include yam, maize, cassava, plantain, vegetables e.g (green, pumpkin, bitter leaf, saint leaf, water leaf, etc) fruits e.g (orange, banana, mangoes pineapple, pawpaw, guava etc) rubber, oil palm etc. They also engage in livestock farming such as pigs, goats, fisheries, poultry bird etc.