Perception of the Effects of Charcoal Production on Rural Households in Kwara State, Nigeria

. This study examined the perception effects of charcoal production on rural households Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and four respondents were randomly selected among the respondents in Kwara state. The data was analyzed using Frequency count, Percentag 4.90). The highest ranked effect of charcoal produ 4.99) was highest ranked perceived effect of charcoal on the household. High health risks in charcoal production and harassment by government agents 2.00) was the highest ranked constraint affecting charcoal production. The result reveals that there is no significant relationship between the perceived effects and motivation for undertaking charcoal production (r=0.008, p=0.934). The study recommends that there should be provision of training on sustainable and eco-friendly mean of livelihoods to rural households.


I. INTRODUCTION
Charcoal is largely produced and used in rural and urban areas to meet the various energy needs of both the urban and rural poor, by providing a reliable, convenient and accessible source of energy for heating and cooking at all times and at a relatively stable cost in required proportions (Chaposa, 2002). In addition to its export value, charcoal trade at the local level provides income opportunities for many people in the rural and urban areas through small scale retail and wholesale businesses (Cirad, 1999). Charcoal production is an important and simple means of livelihood for many people in rural areas (Eniola and Odebode, 2018).
Charcoal is the most important commercial fuel derived from wood. Smoke free, capable of controlled use in a small and cheap stove, and also capable of producing greater heat than wood, it is suitable for a wide variety of industrial and domestic uses especially for use in urban environments. In most developing countries, it is the chief form in which wood fuel is used in towns. If charcoal which is obtained from fire wood as energy source is not properly made, it a source of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and others which are detrimental to human health (Oyebanji, Adeofun, Adedeji, Ekpo, Oguntoke, Ojekunle,2013). The production of charcoal has far-reaching impacts on forest degradation and extends across a range of social-economic and environmental issues of people. Charcoal production has been identified as one of the major causes of deforestation (Mwampamba, Ghilardi, Sander and Chaix, 2013). Any area where there is high level of charcoal production, there is always high incidence of deforestation in the area.
Poverty and inadequacy of alternatives, promotes the use of charcoal despite the negative effects on the environments. The relatively cheap cost and availability could explain the preference for it by rural people. Charcoal is the main source of energy after firewood in most rural communities in Nigeria. The majority of rural dwellers use charcoal as a primary or secondary energy source (Hassan, Mbuli and Dlamini, 2002). Given the popular use despite its hazardous effects, it is imperative that this study be conducted. Also, there is scarcity of information on the perception of the effects of charcoal production on rural households in Kwara State, Nigeria. Therefore, this study seeks to fill this gap. It is against this backdrop that this study therefore aimed to examine the perception of the effects of charcoal production on rural households in Kwara State, Nigeria.
Assess the perceived effects of charcoal production on the rural households in the study area. Identify the constraints affecting charcoal production among the respondents in the study area.

 Hypothesis of the Study
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between the motivation for undertaking charcoal production enterprise and the Perceived Effects of charcoal production on the rural households.

II. METHODOLOGY
This study was carried out in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The population for the study consists all household heads who are into charcoal production enterprise. This study involved random selection of one hundred and five (104) rural household heads who are involved in charcoal production enterprise were selected from seven (7) rural communities in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The rural communities are Iponrin, Panada, Apado, Budo Alfa, Alade, Oke Ajia and Agbeyangi. The motivation for undertaking charcoal production enterprise was measured using a 5-point likert typed scale, where Strongly disagreed=1, Disagreed=2, Undecided=3, Agreed=4 and Strongly agreed=5. The perceived effect of charcoal production on rural dwellers was measured using a 5-point likert typed scale, where Strongly disagreed=1, Disagreed=2, Undecided=3, Agreed=4 and Strongly agreed=5 and The constraints affecting charcoal production of the respondents was measured using 3-piont likert typed scale, where Not a constraint=1, Less severe=2, and Highly severe=3. Data were analysed using frequencies, mean, percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). T b T 4.90), the second ranked motivational factor was availabilit b -4.86), Support b T b 4.46), every members of the community are in b 1.08). This result implies that charcoal is a cheap source of fuel, availability of market for charcoal and availability of good trees species for charcoal was the main motivational factors for undertaking charcoal production enterprise in the study area.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The result in Table 3 reveals the perceived effect of charcoal production on rural households. The highest ranked effect statement was that charcoal production reduces household dependent on b 4.98), the third ranked effect was charcoal production b b b b 4.95), charcoal production enhances the food security of the family, increase income/ lively b   The result in Table 3 reveals that b 2.00) was the highest ranked constraint affecting charcoal production among the respondents. Non-challant attitude of people to 1.26), inadequate technical knowhow o b 0.02). This result implies that high health risks in charcoal production and harassment by government agents from the ministry of forestry and environment was the main constraint affecting charcoal production enterprise in the study area. This further implies that there were a lot of challenges affecting charcoal production. The result in table 4 reveals that there is no significant relationship between the perceived effect and motivation for undertaking charcoal production enterprise (r=0.008, p=0.934). This implies that the motivational factors do not have influence on the perceived effects on charcoal production in the study area.

CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, the study concluded that charcoal is a cheap source of fuel, availability of market for charcoal and availability of good trees species for charcoal was the main motivational factors for undertaking charcoal production enterprise in the study area. The major effects of charcoal production on rural households are that charcoal production reduces household dependent on petroleum product, charcoal producers always have burns and cuts injuries and b h as breathing problem, coughing and irritation to the eyes. The high health risks in charcoal production and harassment by government agents from the ministry of forestry and environment was the main constraint affecting charcoal production enterprise in the study area.

RECOMMENDATION
1. There should be provision of awareness on the health and environmental effects of cutting trees for charcoal production. 2. There should be provision of training on sustainable and eco-friendly mean of livelihoods to rural households. 3. Government should provide sustainable alternatives to the use of charcoal for cooking.