PROFITABLE MANAGEMENT OF MANGROVE FOREST PROTECTS AND WOMEN ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD IN ANDONI, RIVERS STATE

Abstract

Mangrove  utilization  and  management  were  observed   done  by  men  and women depending on their needs and priorities in Andoni, Rivers State. This study, therefore, tried to investigate the gender roles in the utilization and management of mangrove forests, the existing mangrove management practices and their challenges, and the relationship between gender and mangrove resources management. A mixed-method approach was used and data were obtained through triangulation. Respondents were obtained through snow- ball sampling  and  interviewed using  a  structured questionnaire with  a few open-ended questions. Results revealed that the majority of the respondents were women and residents in Andoni, Rivers State within  or near the mangrove forest. Mostly married  (59%) who were providing food and income for the family. They utilized mangrove woods (58.20%) with an average quantity of less than 10 board feet (34.4%) for cooking (40.2%).   Challenges in management include low survival rate of planted mangroves (33%), lack of maintenance  activity  (20%), and  lack  of  funds  for  mobilization  (20%).  A chi-square test of independence revealed that both men and women have no significant difference in their involvement in nursery establishment and main- tenance, mangrove planting, and plantation management.