ABSTRACT

The study examined the Determinants of Farm Income among Cooperative and non-cooperative of stallholders Farmers in Ikwuano L.G.A, Abia State. Specifically it examined the socioeconomic characteristics, comparing the income level of the cooperative and non-cooperative farmers, factors that affects the income of the co-operative and non-cooperative farmers and the various from income activities. Purposive and sampling random techniques were adopted in sampling 60 respondents. Data were collected using well structured questionnaires while secondary data were obtained from b internet information. The result showed that farmers from both categories ranged between 35-40 years old and 55-60 years old respectively with majority being married with a household of four (4)been the least. Farmers in both categories had exposure to basic education with farming experience, majority of the co-operative farmers had farming experience of 21-30 years, while for the for the non-co-operative farmers had farming experience from 1-10 years. This indicates that the co-operative farmers are more experienced in farming. Comparing the income level of both co-operative and non-co-operative farmers, showed that income level of co-operative farmers was significant different. The income level of co-operative is higher than that of the non-cooperative farmers in the study area. This was computed using the T-test statistics. The significant variables that influence the income levels are farm size, labour, farming experience and amount of credit. Based on findings it is recommended that government should encourage co-operative farmers via their co-operative society with subsidized loans and credit to encourage the anticipated increase in the production of agricultural commodities, agricultural extension programme agriculture should be enforced by tle state ministry of agriculture and lastly agricultural symposium should be organized on a quarterly basis to educate rural farmers on efficient allocation of resources.