FUELWOOD AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY

ABSTRACT

The study focuses on forces driving the use of fuelwood among women in Kogi east and the implications of fuelwood on the environment, health and economy of Kogi east. Though Fuelwood has served as the major source of energy for cooking, its effect on the environment and health is to a great extent questionable. There has been noticeable disappearance of trees within the district over the years. The study met its’ quadruplet research objectives through an extensive study of relevant literature and questionnaires administered to four groups; general users, health personnels, environmentalists/policy makers and sellers. Cross-Sectional survey data was used from a sample of 400. The linear probability model and simple descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the data obtained. An empirical result of the LPM reveals that the choice of cooking energy is mainly determined by the accessibility to fuelwood and inaccessibility to cleaner fuels. Besides accessibility, findings showed that income, family size and level of education are found to be key factors in energy consumption behavior. Meanwhile descriptive analysis revealed that there has been noticeable disappearance of trees in the various areas over a decade ago which is attributed to indiscriminate deliberate felling of trees for fuelwood purpose. It was also revealed that indoor air born pollution diseases incurred by women are often as a result of fuelwood smoke. The main conclusions were that users are aware of the negative effects on environment and the positive effect on their economy but are not very much aware of the impact on health. This research recommends awareness creation program on dangers of fuelwood usage and tree planting exercise and creation of rural jobs as substitute to fuelwood trade.

Keywords: fuelwood, energy, environment, health, economy. 

Table of contents

Page

TITLE PAGE                                                               I

DECLARATION II

CERTIFICATION III

APPROVAL IV                                                                                                                

DEDICATION V

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT VI

ABSTRACT VII                                                                       TABLE OF CONTENTS VIII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study 1

Statement of Problem 4

Research Questions 5

Objectives of the Study 6

Hypothesis 6

Justification 6

Scope and Limitation 7

Outline Structure 8

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction 9

Conceptual Review 9

Theoretical Literature 15

Fuel wood Gap Theory 15

Energy Ladder Theory 17

The Land Degradation Theory of Meyeres 19

Capabilities Approach Theory 21

Empirical Literatures 25

Relevant Gap to be filled 47

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

Study Area 49

Sources and Method of data collection 49

Population 50

Sampling Technique, Plan and Size 50

Data Analysis Technique 51

Model Specification   52

Description of Variables 53

Dependent variable 53

Independent variable 54

Apriori Expectation 54

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT PRESENTATION

Introduction 55

Socio Economic Features of Households 55

Linear Probability Analysis for factors that determine the use of Fuelwood 59

Implications of the Use of Fuelwood on Environment of Kogi East 62

Implications of the Use of Fuelwood on Health of Rural Women in Kogi East 64

Implications of the Use of Fuelwood on Economy of Kogi East 66

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Introduction 69

Summary 69  

Conclusion 70

Recommendations 71

REFERENCES 73

APPENDICES

Appendix 1; Eviews Output of LPM 90

Appendix 2; Statistical Data for fuelwood users. 91