Socio Economic Importance of Red Mangrove (Rhizophora Racemosa L) To Rural Dwellers in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the importance of mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa) to the socio-economic development of rural dwellers in southern Nigeria. Specifically designed to identify the products made from Rhizophora racemosa, examine the costs - returns of the product and ascertain the social benefits derived by artisans engaged in the Rhizophora racemosa production. A proportionate sampling technique was employed to select sixty (60) respondents from the study area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. The study revealed that basket (30%), fish racket (33%) and fish trap (20%) were the products made from the plant. Fish racket is one of the products from R.racemosa was profitable with a processing efficiency of ?1.76 which indicates that for every ?1.00 invested the profit realized was ?0.76 kobo. The socio benefits from the business include: getting information about their community very fast (81.8%) and deriving satisfaction from the use of the plant (100%). Therefore, the study recommended that government should come up with programmes that will target the youth to get them involved in the utilization of R.racemosa as this will help in reducing the unemployment and restive situation in the state.

Keywords: Socio-Economic Importance, Mangrove, Rhizopora racemosa , Rural Dwellers