Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to explore the rural-urban interdependence on fuel wood in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study seeks to understand the intricate relationship between rural and urban areas in terms of fuel wood consumption, trade, and sustainability. Anambra State, like many other regions in Nigeria, faces challenges related to deforestation, environmental degradation, and energy insecurity due to a high reliance on fuel wood for cooking and heating purposes. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data collection through surveys and qualitative data through interviews and focus group discussions. The study will involve both rural and urban communities to capture a comprehensive view of the fuel wood dynamics in the state. By analyzing the sources of fuel wood, consumption patterns, market dynamics, and socio-economic factors influencing fuel wood use, the research aims to provide insights into the complex interplay between rural and urban areas in sustaining the fuel wood supply chain. One of the key objectives of the study is to assess the environmental impact of fuel wood consumption in Anambra State and explore potential sustainable alternatives. By understanding the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation linked to fuel wood collection, the research seeks to inform policy interventions and community-based initiatives for promoting sustainable energy practices. Additionally, the project will investigate the role of gender, income levels, and access to alternative energy sources in shaping fuel wood use patterns among rural and urban households. The findings of this research can have significant implications for energy policy, environmental conservation, and rural development in Anambra State and beyond. By highlighting the interconnectedness of rural and urban areas in the fuel wood supply chain, the study aims to promote collaborative efforts towards sustainable resource management and energy transition. Furthermore, the research outcomes can contribute to the existing literature on energy poverty, environmental sustainability, and rural-urban linkages in developing countries. In conclusion, this research project seeks to deepen our understanding of the rural-urban interdependence on fuel wood in Anambra State, Nigeria, and provide valuable insights for addressing energy challenges and promoting sustainable development in the region.

Thesis Overview

This study examined the rural-urban interdependence on fuel wood in Anambra State,
Nigeria using cross-sectional data. The study used purposive and random sampling
techniques for the selection of 120 gatherers that constituted respondents for the
study. The study employed descriptive and relevant inferential statistics for data
analysis. The findings of the study revealed that out of the 14 indicators of the
importance of forest examined in the study, the respondents were aware of 11 as
importance of forest to people in the study area. The linear regression analysis with
an R2 of 0.702 showed that about 70% of the total variations in the income from fuel
wood were caused by the specified independent variables in the model. On ruralurban
interdependence on forest, (79%) of money and income related benefits flow
from urban to rural areas; (88%) of benefits relating to innovative ideas on forestry
management and conservation flow from urban to rural areas, about (68%) of forest
related market information spread from urban areas to the people in rural areas while
about (55%) of awareness of the importance of forest and its related products flow
from the urban to rural.
About (78%) of benefits in the form of forest related job
opportunities spread from rural to urban areas. Using a factor loading of 0.30, the
factors that constrain rural-urban flow of fuel wood in the area were: sociofinancial;
infrastructural/institutional; and distributive factors. The result of the
probit model with an R2 of 0.892 indicated that about (89%) of the total variations in
the decision of the respondents to either invest in forest development or not were
caused by the specified independent variables in the model. Based on the above
findings, it was recommended that government should ensure the provision of good
feeder and major road network between rural and urban areas in the state, that for
smooth flow of fuel wood, marketing channels should be encouraged in order to
hasten distribution of the fuel wood among others.