ASSESSMENT OF FORESTRY EXTENSION SERVICES, LAWS AND COMPLIANCE IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to assess forestry extension services, laws and compliance in Benue State, Nigeria. The state was stratified into three geo political Zones namely Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C. Seven local Government areas were randomly selected, with at least two from Zone A and B, and three from zone C. (65) communities were used from the (7) selected local Government Areas in the 3 Zones, making (395) respondents. Benue State Ministry of Water Resources and Environment (1) as well as forestry units (7) in the selected local government areas were selected for questionnaire administration. Therefore, the sample size for the study was 403 respondents. Two (2) sets of structured questionnaires were administered. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics frequency and percentages. A 5-Point Likert Scale rating format was used to determine forestry extension services and compliance with forestry laws in Benue State. Factorial analysis was also used to determine the most important factor influencing compliance with forestry laws in Benue State. 80.1% of the respondents were males while 19.9% were females. Age found that, 33.5% of the respondents were within age bracket of 41-50 years, while the least 8.2 % were above 60 years. Respondent level of education was revealed to be 30.5% tertiary education, 26.1% had non-formal education, 65.7% were farmers, and 4.5% were hunters, 86.6% married, while 13.2 % were singles. There is no effective extension service delivery in Benue State. The result also revealed a low level of compliance to forestry laws in Benue State. It is therefore concluded that, respondents were young, agile, married and educated and has been residing in the study area over a period of time. There should be adequate access to forest extension services; this could enhance high level of compliance with forestry laws in the study area.