DYNAMICS OF POVERTY, DEFORESTATION AND BEEKEEPING IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: CONCERNS FOR POLICYMAKERS ? Part I

The study examines the role of beekeeping amidst condition of abject poverty among the majority of the population in northern Nigeria, and the much popularised Afforestation Programmes of the public sector. Data were collected both from primary and secondary sources. The findings indicated that while the activities/livelihood of the people had devastating effects on the environment (felling of trees) of which massive adoption of low-technology beekeeping would play immense role in reviving the situation, the attitude of the government towards promoting tree planting campaign in the area has not been encouraging. Its concluded that the livelihoods of the poor majority of the people of northern Nigeria had devastating effects on the Afforestation efforts in the area, and beekeeping enterprise could be used as a bridge between the two (poverty and afforestation). It is therefore, strongly recommended that policymakers should address the dynamics between poverty, deforestation and beekeeping with the hope of stabilising the economic situation of the people of northern Nigeria and by extension improves their incomes and livelihoods.