Use of some Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species among Rural Dwellers in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State

The study investigated the use of neglected and underutilized plant species in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, with the specific objectives of assessing the demographic characteristics of rural dwellers, benefits of neglected and underutilized plant species, examining rural dwellers’ knowledge and uses of neglected and underutilized plants, assessing rural dwellers’ sources of information on utilization neglected and underutilized plant species. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect information with the aid of structured questionnaire from 120 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and multiple regression analysis. Respondents were mostly male, married, with little or no formal education. Most preferred sources of information are radio and extension agents. Respondents have a high (70.0%) knowledge of use of these plants. The chi-square analysis indicated that there was a significant (X2 = 17.272, p =0.002) relationship between rural dwellers’ level of education and use of neglected and underutilized plant species at 0.05 level of significance. However, age (2 = 5.208, P = 0.391), sex (2 = 1.734, P = 0.42) and Marital status (2 = 1.522, P = 0.467) were not significantly related to the use of neglected and underutilized plant species by rural dwellers. The multiple regression analysis showed that there is a strong correlation between the benefits, knowledge, exposure to information and use of neglected and underutilized plant species. It was recommended that Sensitization programmes on utilization of neglected and underutilized plant species should use preferred sources like radio and extension agents in local languages.