ABSTRACT

The study analyzed farm household's characteristics as determinants of wellbeing of rural farmers in Akwa Ibom State. Household characteristics were used as variables to assess wellbeing of rural farmers. The major objective of the study was to analyze household characteristics as determinants of wellbeing of rural farm household. In all, 300 households from Eket and Oron zones of Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) were selected for the study using the multi-stage samplmg procedure. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze data. The study showed that 70.7% of household heads were married. Most household heads (95.4%) were literate while 42% of respondents lived in houses made of cement and zinc. Forty-two percent were members of formal cooperatives and 20% had benefited from poverty alleviation programmes. Analysis of income and expenditure showed that 52% of the rural farmers earned N61,000 and above monthly while 18.6% spent the same amount on basic needs within the same period. Hypothesis result showed that individual household characteristics did not significantly influence wellbeing of rural farmers. Rather, household characteristics combined with eco-system characteristics to influence wellbeing of farm household in the study area. Multiple regression results showed that determinants of wellbeing of rural farm households were: experience (years spent in primary occupation), level of education of household head, household size, type of health facility used by household, type of house occupied by households, marital status, and frequency of contact with extension agents. The major constraints to improved welfare were lack of credits, corruption in administration of poverty alleviation programme, illegal use of chemicals, high inflation rate on goods and services and extortion of money from fishermen by security agents. Building of storage infrastructure, subsidy on inputs, increased incentives to extension agents were suggested. Enlightenment programme to encourage rural farmers to attid literacy classes and join cooperative societies were also suggested. The study recommnded policies to assist married households, improve education, health and strengthening of extension services. Health programme to discourage large family size was advocated. In addition, a mass rural housing policy was recommended as a measure to improve wellbeing of rural farmers.. The study recommended identification of determinants of wellbeing specific to primary occupation and area before application of suggested measures.