The Research Team of PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) has released an in-depth survey report conducted between November 1 and December 10, 2025 revealing alarming levels of firewood dependence, escalating production costs, and severe health impacts among small-scale garri, fufu and palm oil processors across Oyo State.
The survey covered 101 processors across Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole, and Ona-Ara Local Government Areas, representing diverse communities such as Orita Challenge, Adetounwa, Akanran, Badeku, Bosu-Gboro, Eleyele, Fasade, Gbedu, Igboelerin, Ilaju, Irewole Ejioku, Iyana Offa, Kappan, Nanatan Village, Oke Baba, Onigambari, and Oore.
Widespread Firewood Dependence: 99% still rely on wood bundles daily according to the survey, 99% of respondents use firewood as their primary fuel, with only 1% using charcoal, and 0% using LPG, kerosene, electricity, or biogas for processing.
Daily fuel consumption is extremely high:
• 1–5 bundles/day: 54.5%
• 6–10 bundles/day: 6.9%
• 11–20 bundles/day: 11.9%
Most respondents process 21–30 days per month (65.3%), meaning firewood is used almost daily at substantial cost.
Fuel Costs Are a Major Financial Burden
Processors reported an average monthly firewood expenditure of ₦50,123.91 (± ₦52,296), with some spending as high as ₦100,000 depending on batch size and supply conditions.
Firewood accounts for a significant share of total production costs:
• 1–10% of costs: 39.6%
• 11–20%: 14.9%
• 21–30%: 16.8%
• 31–40%: 6.9%
• Over 50%: 3.9%
Many respondents (53.5%) said fuel price increases have:
• Reduced production: 4%
• Raised product prices: 18.8%
• Reduced profit margins: 30.7%
While the average income from processing is ₦127,297.94/month, the high variability (± ₦318,233.85) shows that many processors face unstable earnings due to fluctuating fuel costs.
Declining Wood Availability and Escalating Supply Challenges
A majority of respondents reported significant procurement challenges:
• 44.6% experience difficulty sometimes,
• 33.7% rarely, and
• 18.8% never.
Reasons include:
• Price increases: 56.4%
• Scarcity: 23%
• Transport issues: 15%
• Supplier unreliability: 7%
• Deforestation/regulations: 6.9%
Furthermore, 52.5% say wood availability has decreased in the last three years—an indicator of growing environmental stress.
Heavy Health Burden from Smoke Exposure
The survey highlights serious health impacts directly linked to firewood use:
• 81.2% reported smoke-related health symptoms.
• Common symptoms include:
Cough: 53 respondents
Eye irritation: 78 respondents
Breathing problems: 37 respondents
Body pain: 14 respondents
Frequency of symptoms:
Daily: 17.8%
Weekly: 11.9%
Occasionally: 51.5%
Despite these issues:
87.1% do not use masks or protective equipment.
Only 12.9% reported using any form of protective measure.
This data indicates a major occupational health challenge with long-term respiratory implications.
Low Awareness but High Willingness to Adopt Cleaner Technologies
Although awareness of clean alternatives is limited:
45.5% have heard of improved stoves, LPG, biogas, or solar technologies.
54.5% have not.
The willingness to transition is remarkably strong:
Very willing: 63.4%
Somewhat willing: 28.7%
Not willing: only 2%
Barriers identified include:
High cost: 76.2
Unreliable supply: 22.8%
Lack of technical support: 29.7%
Unsuitability for processing scale: 24.8%
Cultural/taste concerns (e.g., “garri won’t come out well”): 17.8%
Crucially, 90.1% of respondents said they were willing to join a pilot project to test clean energy alternatives.
Significant Demand for Training and Support
Respondents expressed a need for capacity-building in:
• Improved stove operation: 28.7%
• Health and safety awareness: 25.7%
• Business and cost management: 21.8%
• Fuel-efficient processing techniques: 17.8%
Preferred training modalities:
• Practical on-site demonstrations: 57.4%
• Short workshops: 21.8%
• Peer learning groups: 19.8%
This shows a strong appetite for hands-on learning and structured support toward clean energy transition.
PLAN Foundation Calls for Urgent, Coordinated Action
“The findings demonstrate a community eager for cleaner, safer technologies but limited by high costs and lack of technical support,” said the PLAN Foundation Research Team. “This is an important moment to scale up clean cooking interventions, rural electrification solutions, and cooperative financing models tailored to smallholder processors.”
PLAN Foundation recommends the following:
• Introduction of improved, energy-efficient processing stoves
• Deployment of LPG, solar-powered, and hybrid processing technologies
• Establishment of women-led energy cooperatives
• Launch of pilot demonstrations in identified high-interest communities
• Expansion of energy finance options, including subsidies, micro-loans, and group-purchasing schemes
• Strengthening environmental policies to protect local forests while promoting clean energy alternatives
About PLAN Foundation
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) is a leading health and development NGO with over two decades of proven impact. The organization delivers evidence-based advocacy, capacity building, coalition strengthening, community engagement, and service delivery across public health, non-communicable diseases, disability inclusion, poverty alleviation, and climate-smart agriculture. Serving policymakers and marginalized populations, especially women, young people, and persons with disabilities. PLAN Foundation has implemented programs in more than 24 states in Nigeria and continues to influence civil society networks and policy platforms nationally, regionally, and globally.
PLAN Foundation is a member of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the World Patients Alliance (WPA), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the Stop TB Partnership, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD), the Global Health Council (GHC), as well as various other relevant regional and global networks, movements, and professional associations aligned with its vision of a Nigeria where the individual, family, and community are adequately empowered to protect themselves against poverty, underdevelopment, and the spread of diseases.
For more details on PLAN Foundation, engage us on our social media accounts on
X (Twitter): @NG_PLAN
Instagram: @planfoundationng
Facebook: @PLANFoundationNG
YouTube: @PLANFoundationNG
Ifedayo Osemwegie,
Advocacy, Strategic Communication and Media Officer,
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation)
+2348038320421
ifedayo@planfoundation.org.ng
