PREFERRED NATIVE TREE SPECIES FOR THE TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN ONDO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was conducted on the preferred native tree species in traditional agroforestry in Ondo state, Nigeria. A reconnaissance survey was performed and copies of structured questionnaire were administered to Farmers in fifteen villages. A stratified random sampling procedure was used in selecting three local government areas (LGAs) from two ecological zones (derived savannah and rainforest) in the study area. . In Rainforest zone, two local government areas (Odigbo and Ifedore,) were randomly selected while only one LGA (Akoko South East) was selected from Derived Savanna. Five villages were randomly selected in each local government area, with a total number of 10 respondents selected in each village. In all, the total number of respondents that gave detailed information about the system in the area was 150. The result shows that more males (90.7%) participated in the system than females (9.3%). People between age 25-40 (43.3%) were into the system in order to provide for their family. It is also revealed that most of the farmer in the area (95.3%) was found planting and retaining trees on their farmland. It was observed that 61.3% of the people in the area planted trees. Some of preferred native tree species for planting in rainforest zone are Terminalia superba, Mansonia altssima, Irvingia gabonensis. In derived savanna, Parkia biglobosa, Terminalia superba, Irvingia gabonensis, Azadirachta indica were preferred . The native tree species preferred for retention on farmland by farmers in the rainforest zone included Millicia excelsa, Terminalia superba, Ceiba pentandra, Irvingia gabonensis, Khaya senegalensis. Likewise, in derived savanna some tree species considered by farmers are Parkia biglobosia, Millicia excelsa, Ceiba pentandra, Khaya senegalensis, Garcinia kola. For the survival of the system, measures should be taken to make land and its resources more accessible to farmers, in order to encourage individual investment in agro forestry; especially in native tree planting.