LAUSR

The study examined the role of community-level institutions in the management of palm-forest resources in Southeastern Nigeria. Southeastern Nigeria is undoubtedly the palm-forest and palm oil belt of Nigeria where these resources have been managed for at least the last 100 years on an on individual and a community basis. Using a survey research approach, this study focused on three large communities in three states in the Southeastern region and discovered widespread usage of community-level institutions in the management of palm-forest resources as well as a set of socio-cultural norms and practices regarding access to and exploitation of palm-forest resources. However, while we discovered that these community-level institutions were both effective and conducive to sustainable exploitation of these resources, we also found that these institutions are not particularly bothered with either promoting or encouraging new investments in palm-forest resources. Therefore, there is need to harness these institutions for optimal and sustainable exploitation of palm-forest resources while calling their attention to the need for new investments in palm-forest resources in their communities.