Analysis of Household Fuelwood Consumption as Cooking Energy and the Implications on the Environment: A Case of Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed households fuelwood consumption as domestic cooking energy source and the implications on the environment in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and forty (240) respondents were selected using multistage sampling procedure to elicit information for the study. Primary data for the study was garnered with the use of structured questionnaires and interview schedule and was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that the majority (81%) of the household heads were males with a mean age of 40 years. 83% of the respondents were married and had at least one form of education with secondary education having the highest share of 49%. The average household size of the respondents was 7 persons with majority (52%) of them taken to farming as their main occupation The mean monthly income of the respondents was N43,150. Majority (79%) of the respondents use firewood as their main fuel source for cooking which they obtained mostly at no cost from the forests (44%) and their farmlands (37%). The average cost price of a bundle of firewood stood at N200 in the study area while that of kerosene is N750/litre in the study area.  Charcoal is sold at N2500/50kg bag (N50/kg), electricity, N61.5/kwh and gas, N780/kg. The average consumption level of fuelwood by respondents was estimated at 3 bundles daily. The result reveals that lack of cheaper energy alternatives (88%), large family sizes (84%), easy availability (77%) were the main reasons given by the respondents for fuelwood consumption over other sources. The perceived environmental effects of fuelwood utilization were; deforestation (75%), global warming (57%), Indoor and outdoor pollution (53%), and violent windstorms (46%), among others. Marital status, educational status, household size, monthly income and cost of Gas significantly influenced the consumption of fuelwood by households. The study recommends use of alternative and clean energy sources should be encouraged and the corresponding alternative energy technologies made available and affordable to residents to reduce the overreliance of households on the use of traditional energy carriers such as firewood and charcoal, thereby reducing their negative impact on health and environmental degradation. Tree planting campaigns should be embarked upon by both residents and relevant authorities to replenish the depleted forest resources and for their sustainability.