Sustainable Income from Forest Products: Insights from Toro, Nigeria

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are vital for sustaining rural livelihoods, enhancing household income, and supporting environmental sustainability in developing regions. This study investigates the socio-economic and institutional factors influencing sustainable income from NTFPs in Toro Local Government Area (LGA), Bauchi State, Nigeria, with attention to gender dynamics, cooperative engagement, and resource availability. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining interviews and structured set of a questionnaire with 115 households actively involved in NTFP harvesting and trade, ensuring representative coverage of gender and occupational diversity. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to examine the determinants of household income from NTFPs. The results indicate that gender, marital status, and cooperative membership significantly influence income, highlighting social and demographic dimensions as critical factors in sustainable resource utilization. The availability of key NTFPs, including charcoal, firewood, medicinal plants, and other forest products, substantially contributes to household earnings, reflecting both strong local demand and dependence on forest resources. Regression analysis demonstrated high explanatory power (R² = 0.890), confirming the relevance of the examined socio-economic and environmental variables. The most commonly harvested NTFPs were firewood, charcoal, and medicinal plants, while the majority of households earn modest income, indicating limitations in market access, value addition, and financial resources. The study call attention to the need for integrated policy interventions that promote sustainable harvesting practices, expand cooperative membership, strengthen market infrastructure, and support gender-inclusive participation in NTFP-based livelihoods. Additionally, encouraging youth engagement through technology-supported initiatives and digital marketing platforms can enhance the economic viability of the sector while safeguarding environmental resources. These findings contribute to evidence-based policy formulation for sustainable rural development and forest resource management in Nigeria and similar contexts globally.