[01] Onyeneke R. U., Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. [02] Nwajiuba C. U., Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. [03] Nwosu C. S., Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

The environment and protective role of forest in any nation or community cannot be over emphasized as forests have been identified with enhancement of rural comfort, air purification, noise abatement, regulating microclimate and a host of other ecological services. Fuelwood collection from forests in Imo State is leading to deforestation and decimating forest resources. We sought to bring clarity to this discourse by analyzing determinants of fuelwood consumption, and coping measures to increasing fuelwood scarcity in the area. The study adopted the multistage random sampling technique in selecting sixty household heads from the area. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The result showed that the average fuelwood consumed by households in the area was 21.5kg per week. Furthermore, the major determinants of the fuelwood consumption in the area were age, gender, farm size, marital status, main occupation, and educational level of household heads. The main coping measures for increasing fuelwood scarcity in the area were shifting to saw dust (45.00%) and extinguishing firewood after cooking (45.00%). The study recommends that low-cost strategies for reducing fuel consumption should be developed and promoted.

Deforestation, Fuelwood Consumption, Determinants, Fuelwood Scarcity, Imo State

[01] Babanyara, Y.Y. and Saleh U.F., (2010). Urbanisation and the Choice of Fuel Wood as a Source of Energy in Nigeria. J. of Hum. Ecol., 31(1): 19-26 (2010). [02] Becek K., and Odihi J.O., (2008). Identification and Assessment of Factors affecting Forest Depletion in Brunei Darussalam. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences XXXVII (B2): 209-214. [03] Bolaji, B.O. (2012). Effects of Unsustainable Use of Biomass Energy for Cooking and Strategies for their Reduction in Developing Countries. Dev. Country St.2(3): 19-25 (2012). [04] Eleri, E.O.; Ugwu O., and Onuvae P., (2012). Expanding Access to Pro-poor Energy Services in Nigeria. A Consultation Paper prepared by International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED) with support from Christian Aid [05] Friends of the Environment (2005). Enabling Urban Poor Livelihood Policy Making: Understanding the Role of Energy Services. Nigeria Energy Study Report, Country Study Report Nigeria Prepared for Twente Centre for Studies in Technology and Sustainable Development, University of Twente, Netherlands [06] Gbadegesin, A. and Olorunfemi F., (2011). Socio-Economic Aspects of Fuel Wood Business in the Forest and Savanna Zones of Nigeria: Implications for Forest Sustainability and Adaptation to Climate Change. Global J.of Hum. Soc. Sci., 11 (1): 45-56 (2011). [07] Ikurekong E.E.; Esin J.O., and Mba A.C., (2009). Rural Fuel-wood Exploitation in Mbo Local Government Area – A Nigerian Coastal Settlement. EthiopianJ. of Environ. St. and Mgt. 2 (3): 44-55 (2009). [08] Imo State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) (1990). Work Programme, Imo ADP, Owerri, [09] Ishaya S.; Maisamari G. J., and Mohammed A.M., (2009). Fuelwood scarcity: Women’s Perception, Experience and Adaptation Strategies in Gwagwalada Area Council, Nigeria. Adv. in Nat. and Appl. Sci, 3(1): 79-84 (2009). [10] Microsoft Corporation (2009): Microsoft Encarta Premium Suite 2009 (Software). [11] Ministry of Land Survey and Urban Planning, Imo State (1992). Area of Imo State by LGA, Government Printer, Owerri. [12] NBS-CBN-NCC Collaborative Survey (2011): 2010 Annual Socio-Economic Survey Report Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Present Licensees http://www.nercng.org/index.php?option=com_contact&catid=41&Itemid=67 [13] National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) (2006). Official Gazette (FGP 71/52007/2,500(OL24): Legal Notice on Publication of the Details of the Breakdown of the National and State Provisional Totals, 2006 Census. www.nigerianstat.gov.ng (accessed 28 October, 2011). [14] Nnaji C.E; Ukwueze E.R, and Chukwu J.O., (2012a). Determinants of Household Energy Choices for Cooking in Rural Areas: Evidence from Enugu State, Nigeria. Continental J. of Soc. Sci. 5 (2): 1 – 11 (2012). [15] Nnaji C.E; Uzoma C.C., and Chukwu J.O., (2012b). Analysis of Factors determining Fuelwood Use for Cooking by Rural Households in Nsukka Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Continental J. of Environ. Sci. 6 (2): 1 – 6 (2012). [16] Nura, A.Y.; Ibrahim A.Q.; Hamid B. M., and Haruna U. (2011). Analysis of Firewood Supply in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Prog. in Ren. Ene. 1 (2011): 1 - 7 [17] Nwajiuba, C.U.; OnyenekeR., and Munonye J., (2008). Climate Change: Perception and Adaptation by Poultry Farmers in Imo State. In: Nwajiuba C.(ed), Climate Change and Adaptation in Nigeria. Farming and Rural Systems Economics by Doppler W. and Bauer S., Volume 95, Pp: 53-63, Margraf Publishers, Hohenheim, Germany [18] Ojo, O.S.; Okonkwo M.C.,; Oladele O.N.,; Jayeoba W.A.,; Suleiman R.A., and Yakubu M., (2012). Evaluation of Wood Fuel Exploitation and its Relative Consumption Pattern in Kaduna Metropolis. J. of Edu. and Soc. Res.2 (7): 134 – 143(2012). [19] Olatinwo, K.B. and Adewumi M.O., (2012). Energy Consumption of Rural Farming Households in Kwara State, Nigeria. J. of Sus. Devt. in Africa. 14 (2): 63 – 76 (2012). [20] Onoja, A.O. and Idoko O., (2012). Econometric Analysis of Factors influencingFuelwood Demand in Rural and Peri-Urban Farm Households of Kogi State. The J. of Sus. Devt. 8 (1): 115-127 (2012). [21] Onoja, A.O. and Emodi A.I., (2012). Economic Analysis of Fuelwood Production and Consumption: Evidence from a Nigerian State. British J. of Mgt. and Econs 2(1): 13-23 (2012) [22] Onyekuru N. A. and Eboh E. C. (2011). Determinants of Cooking Energy Demand in the Rural Households of Enugu State, Nigeria: An Application of the Bivariate Probit Model. Asian J Exp. Biol. Sci. 2(2): 332-335 (2011). [23] Oyekale, A.S.; Dare A. M. and Olugbire O. O. (2012). Assessment of Rural Households’ Cooking Energy Choice during Kerosene Subsidy in Nigeria: A Case Study of Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. Afr. J. of Agr. Res. 7(39): 5405 – 5411 (2012). [24] Ramanathan, V. and Carmichael G., (2008). Global and Regional Climate Changes due to Black Carbon. Nat. Geos. 1(4): 221–227 (2008). [25] Sagar, A.D and Kartha S., (2007). Bioenergy and Sustainable Development? Ann. Rev. of Env. and Res.32(1):131–167 (2007). [26] Tee, N.T.; Ancha P.U., and Asue J., (2009). Evaluation of Fuel-wood Consumption and Implications on the Environment: Case Study of Makurdi Area in Benue State, Nigeria. J. of Appl. Bios, 19: 1041 – 1048 (2009).