ABSTRACT
The
study analyzed cropping systems, intensification and poverty status of
smallholder arable crop farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. Specifically the study
examined the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, examined the rate
of use of the cropping systems practiced, determined the extent of crop
intensification of the farmers, analysed the poverty status of the arable crop
farmers, analyzed the determinants of cropping systems, intensification, and
poverty status of the farmers, examined the relationship between cropping
systems, intensification and poverty status of the farmers and estimated the
impact of intensification and cropping systems on poverty status of the
farmers. Multi-stage, simple random techniques were employed to select 120
respondents. Primary data were collected with the use of a well-structured
questionnaire through the aid of enumerators. Relevant descriptive and
inferential statistics; multinomial logit regression, probit regression, Analysis
of Variance and Ordinary least square regression models were used for the data
analysis. The result showed that mean age of the farmers was 50.5 years, while
males dominated farming activities in the area. Also the mean household size
was 7 persons per household. The mean farm size was 1.11 hectares. Majority
(96.7%) of the respondents in the study area acquired one form of formal
education or the other. The finding also showed that the major cropping system
was Crop rotation (= 3.36). The field results
on extent of agricultural intensification of the arable crop farmers revealed
that the mean land use intensity index of farmers was 0.69, also the mean
labour use intensity index was estimated at 24.14 mandays/ha while mean
fertilizer use intensity index was 189kg/hectare. About 36.67 % of the arable
crop farmers were considered being core poor; 32.50 % considered as being
moderately poor while about 30.83 % of the arable crop farmers were considered
to be non – poor. The Multinomial Logit Regression revealed that household
size, income, age, farm size, experience and planting material were the main
variables that significantly influenced cropping system in the area. Tobit
regression estimate of the determinants of crop intensification showed a positive
relationship existed between education, income, farm size, organic manure and
bush burning and inverse relationship existed between household size and
intensification among arable crop farmers. Furthermore, Coefficients of marital
status, level of education, farm size, credit and land use intensity were the
significant variables influencing the poverty status of the farmers. Analysis
of Variance estimate revealed that crop intensification of the arable crop
farmers is statistically significant. Ordinary
Least Square used in estimating the effects of intensification and
cropping systems on poverty status of the farmers revealed that there was a positive relationship between cropping system
and poverty status in the area. The
significant variables that influenced cropping systems, intensification, and
poverty status of the farmers should be taken into consideration in policy
issues. Also research efforts should be directed at obtaining improved planting
materials/seeds and effective and efficient storage and processing technology
to reduce/eliminate loss due to the high perishable nature of some arable crops.
It also suggested that agricultural policy makers should make policies that
will encourage the arable crop farmers to use formal insurance, cooperative
societies and improved seeds/seedling that will consequently reduce poverty in
the area.
CHRISTIAN, C (2023). Cropping Systems, Intensification And Poverty Status Of Smallholder Arable Crop Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Dec 09, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/cropping-systems-intensification-and-poverty-status-of-smallholder-arable-crop-farmers-in-imo-state-nigeria-7-2
CHIMAMKPA, CHRISTIAN. "Cropping Systems, Intensification And Poverty Status Of Smallholder Arable Crop Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 23 Mar. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/cropping-systems-intensification-and-poverty-status-of-smallholder-arable-crop-farmers-in-imo-state-nigeria-7-2. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024.
CHIMAMKPA, CHRISTIAN. "Cropping Systems, Intensification And Poverty Status Of Smallholder Arable Crop Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 23 Mar. 2023. Web. 09 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/cropping-systems-intensification-and-poverty-status-of-smallholder-arable-crop-farmers-in-imo-state-nigeria-7-2 >.
CHIMAMKPA, CHRISTIAN. "Cropping Systems, Intensification And Poverty Status Of Smallholder Arable Crop Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2023). Accessed 09 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/cropping-systems-intensification-and-poverty-status-of-smallholder-arable-crop-farmers-in-imo-state-nigeria-7-2