Intl. J. of Mol. Ecol. and Conserv. 2012, Vol. 2, No. 6, 32-38
http://ijmec.sophiapublisher.com
34
pdf). The stem and twig wood is used for chewing
stick. It can also be used as flavoring in soft drinks e.g.
coca-cola. Several species of cola nut have been
recognised in Nigeria. There are about three sub
genera that are accepted and cultivated. They are often
refers to as edible cola but only two are widely
cultivated namely
Cola nitida
(
Vent.) Schott and Endl
and
Cola acuminata
(
P.Beauv.) Schott and Endl they
are the two economically important members of the
cola genus. They are bitter-tasting nuts known
conventionally as Kola nuts. These two species are the
true cola nuts. In Western Nigeria, cola nut ranks very
high among agricultural cash crops in importance
from which the bulk of our revenue can be derived.
According to Momoh et al (2000), 90% of cola nut
production in Nigeria is consumed locally. It provides
pods and nuts as a major source of food and provides
ingredient for various uses and remedies. It meets
many challenges and offers a wealth of potential uses,
the socio-economic values and utilization functions of
resources are all equally decisive in ensuring the
quality of people’s lives, providing support for the
national economies and protecting the environment.
Therefore, knowledge on various uses, market
strength and sources of the product is required to
foster the process of management of the non-timber
forest product at high yield in Abeokuta metropolis.
This study was carried out to evaluate the utilization
and socio-economic value of cola marketing to the
livelihood of rural women.
1
Material and Methods
1.1
The study area
The study was carried out within Abeokuta metropolis
in Ogun State. Markets were selected randomly from
the two Local government areas purposively, because
they are local markets where those farm produce are
being sold in the study area. The various markets
selected were Kuto (South Local Government),
Lafenwa (North Local Government), Iberekodo (North
Local Government) and Ishiun at Owode Egba as the
depot where cola is been collected. Cola marketers
were randomly selected and a total of 120
questionnaires were administered to the randomly
selected marketers that majored in the sales of colanuts
in the study Area.
1.2
Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics was used to present and describe
the demographic relationships that exist in the markets.
Cost and Return analysis was used to determine the
economic contribution. Rate of returns on investment
(
ROI) was used to determine the profitability of trade.
Market margin: Average market margins
FC= Rent + Tax+…….
VC= Cost price + Transport +........
TC = TFC +TFC
TR= Total Revenue
NI = TR-TC
ROI= profit×100
TC 1
Market margin = SP-CP
Note: TR: Total revenue; TC: Total cost; FC: Fixed
cost; VC: Variable cost; TVC: Total variable cost;
TFC: Total fixed cost; NI: Net income (profit); ROI:
Rate of return on investment; MM: Market margin; SP:
Selling price; CP: Cost price
2
Results
Table 1 shows socio-demographic characteristics of
respondents as they are essential and fundamental
framework of the analysis of study. It includes sex,
age, and educational level etc expected to affect the
income level of the respondent.
3
Discussions
In all the markets surveyed, the real and potential
value of cola nut cannot be over emphasized although
it remained grouped as a minor product from the
forest within this locality. It is often associated with
various uses which can be grouped under traditional,
cultural and medicinal value. The mean utilization
value reveals that 20.25% uses is for naming, 18.5%
for freedom, 24.5% for wedding, 24.5%, house-
warming 11%, stimulant 7.5%, rituals 19% and
consumption 23.25%.The different purposes derived
from the nut, most especially other parts are not widely
known, although this depends greatly on location.