This paper examined economic potentials of Moringa oleifera as commercial tree specie and its suitability for forest management intervention in Taungya farming system with a view to reviewing the objective in the Nigeria case study. Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo state, Nigeria and the second largest city in Africa. Results/ inferences drawn were primary data generated from FRIN research annual report and was used to rather establish quantitative relationships in an effort to provide a comparative account on the performance of Moringa oleifera in native and introduced ranges. Secondary data from two (2) research papers reporting rigorous scientific data on arable crop productivity in agroforestry combinations systems from Southwest (i.e. introduced range) and Kano state representing northern region (i.e. native range) of Nigeria were revaluated and analyzed. Findings suggest that growing and processing moringa leaves would require an illustrated guidebook that should contain the emphasis on cultivation; harvesting and transportation; processing the leaves; packaging and storage; and using Moringa leaves for nutrition. The standards, together with a code of good practices and an inspection guide, should be adhered to guaranty the good sanitary and nutritional status of the product especially for moringa leaf powder while emphasizes the need for more clinical studies to obtain acceptance of Moringa as a nutritional food supplement among the international scientific community. While prospects of farm forestry/ taungya potential to develop the Moringa oleifera processing and increase value addition to improve welfare of society is gradually assuming a significant position due to high land to man ratio factor. It is recommended that taungya-combined production of forestry and moringa tree /agricultural crops on forest lands be advocated. The taungya system always exhibited certain basic attributes and required some preconditions for its adoption. The preconditions, such as land hunger and low standard of living of the population, are clearly socioeconomic in nature. There is little economic validation of the farming systems described herein. Socioeconomic considerations should however be of high priority on any further research agenda. Evaluation of social acceptability of these practices by farmers should be a major consideration in the process of technology generation. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the Moringa oleifera (Miracle Tree), few address the social role of the resource, and its contribution to the reduction of the rural poverty. Therefore, a cursory look on the leading edge perspectives, science and application in terms of economic potentials of Moringa oleifera as a commercial tree species generally is encouraged for further research studies in Nigeria.

The study investigated the use of Moringa oleifera as a source of economic empowerment for farmers in Bomo Village, Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Twenty farmers whose previous knowledge of the tree was first investigated through oral discussion were randomly selected to participate in the study. Specifically, the study identified the farmers' socio economic characteristics, awareness level about the tree and their willingness to go into the commercial cultivation of Moringa. Group discussion, oral interview as well as self administered structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the farmers. Simple descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency counts and percentages were equally used to summarize the data collected. Gross margin analysis that was used indicated that for every hectare of Moringa plantation established, the farmer stands to realize an average income of two hundred and thirty seven thousand, four hundred naira (N237, 400) which is more profitable when compared to other arable crops being cultivated in the study area. The study also revealed that most of the farmers were not aware of the modern ways of propagating Moringa oleifera and its uses while the vast majority representing 95% of the group indicated their readiness to go into the commercial cultivation of Moringa oleifera after being trained.

Competition for other sources of biomass energy is a major constraint in the efficiency of charcoal production, hence little or no demand for its uses. Data were collected using 65 structural questionnaires and was accompanied by oral interview. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage and frequency and stochastic frontier production function. The study revealed that mean age of producers was 36 years; 96.9% were males and 3.1 were females. Majority of the producers (76.9%) had no formal training on how to produce charcoal, 30.8 has primary education, 38.5 has secondary education and 13.8% had post-secondary education. Most of the respondents (29.2%) had 6-10 years of experience. The frontier production function also revealed that variables identified accounted for 76 % (sigma square 0.76 of the variation observed in the producers margin per month. The mean efficiency of the producers was 85% which shows that they were highly efficient due to low cost on wood and water (P<=0.05). Thus, this study concludes that even though charcoal production will continue to have a negative impact on our environment due to deforestation. Government should think on how to make forest resources sustainable and to be a means of generating income, providing employment, reduce poverty and above all reduce global warming through a forestation.Key words: Biomass, Efficiency, Frontier, Production, Technical, Stochastic Renewable.

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The study examined the Agroforestry practices among farmers in Lagelu local government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. Three of the four Zones of Oyo state ADP (Agricultural Development Programme): Olorunda, Lalupon and Oyedeji were purposively sampled for the study because of the dense population of trees and the predominance of agroforestry in the Zones. Five farmer’ groups were randomly sampled in each Zone and thirteen farmers were randomly selected in each of the farmer’ groups, giving a total of one hundred and ninety five respondents. Structured questionnaire and oral interviews were used to collect information from the respondents. Frequency counts, percentages, pie chart and bar chart were used to analyze the data. Majority of the respondents (66.2%) were males while (33.8%) were females. Mixed Farming which is a common farming system in the South West of Nigeria is predominant in the study area. Theobroma cacao (cocoa) 15.7% and Chrysophylum albidium (African Star apple) 14.9% took the lead among the tree species used in Agroforestry. The major constraint encountered by the farmers in practising agroforestry is limited access to land and lack of financial assistance. The problem of insufficient land and the consequential land fragmentation is reflected in small farm sizes and many farm locations. The study recommends that sufficient land should be made available for farming; farmers should be financially assisted in their farming enterprises with low interest loans. Extension education in the area of agrofrorestry should also be intensified.Key words: Agroforestry, farming systems, tree crops, extension education