Raffia Forest Exploitation and Socio-Economic Development within Nkongsamba Urban Council

In Nkongsamba of the Littoral region, raffia palms exploitation have offered an impressive assortment of products for food, housing construction and households equipment to many of the community members who greatly depend on this Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for livelihood. This study examines the relationship between raffia forest exploitation and socio-economic development within the Nkongsamba urban council in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. To achieve the main aim of the study, specific objectives were set to examine the socio-economic activities related to raffia forest exploitation in Nkongsamba, assess the relationship between raffia forest activity and socio-economic development of Nkongsamba. Data for the study were obtained through primary and secondary sources using a mixed design method of inquiry which combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore data on raffia forest and its related activities in the study area. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were equally employed for a sample population of 155 that was drawn using Miller & Brewer Sample determination Method (2003). The data generated were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The major results from the analysis of the findings indicate that raffia activities have contributed enormously to socio-economic development. The researcher used linear regression statistics to determine if raffia forest activities have any significant impact on socio-economic development at .05 significant levels. The results showed that the calculated p-value .014 was not up to the significant level .05 placed for the study. This therefore accepts the fact that raffia forest activities have significant effect on socio-economic development. Base on this finding, the study recommended that, in view of the fact that raffia exploitation is the main economic base activity to majority of households in the area under study, the government should enact appropriate polices to promote the potentials of raffia farming households. Such households should be provided with inputs such as improved raffia harvesting materials at affordable rates.