ABSTRACT

 The study examined the effect offarmland value on farm investment, productivity and food security among arable crop farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting 180 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire administered to the respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages, mean, hedonic price model, multiple regression analysis, total factor productivity model, food security index, logistic regression analysis, simple regression analysis and 4-point likert scale. The result showed that majority (67.93%) of women were involve in arable crop farming with the average productivity of 5.65. Greater percent (46.67%) ofthe farmers cultivated between 1.1-2.0 hectares with average productivity of 6.05. The farmers mean age was 48 years. Greater percent (40.0%) ofthe farmers had secondary education with average productivity of 7.40. Majority of them (77.78%) were married with an average productivity of 7.41 and had a mean household size of 6. Farming experience was 24 years. Only 22.78% of the farmers had contact with extension agents with an average productivity of 6.57. Only 13.89% of the farmers belonged to cooperative association with average productivity of 5.99 and also only 11% ofthem had access to credit with average productivity of 6.45. Majority (71.67%) ofthe farmers had farming as their major occupation with average productivity of 6.37. Majority (77.78%) ofthe farmers have their own personal land which the acquired through inheritance and majority (94.44%) of them use family labour for cultivation. The average farmland value was N235, 555. The significant determinants of farmland value were farm size, productivity, returns from farm and duration of tenure which were all positive while Purpose ofuse was the only negative significant variable. The significant determinants of farm investment were gender, education, farm size, crop diversification and access to credit which were all positively related to cost of farm investment. The mean productivity ofthe farmers was 6.25. The significant determinants of productivity were innovation adoption, education, marital status, farm size, labour and credit which were all positively related to productivity. Majority (58.33%) of the farmers were food insecure. The significant determinants offood security were gender and household size which were negatively related to food security while age, extension, credit and income were positively related to food security. Farm investment, productivity and food secui ity had a significant positive effect on farmland value. The major constraints faced by arable crop farmers include inflation (3.27), soil degradation (3.27), Lack of fund (3.26), high cost of fertilizer (3.24), urbanization (3.21), method of land acquisition (3.18), farm location (3.13), farm land fragmentation (3.13), farm location (3.02), high cost/lack of improved varieties (3.01), high cost of farm implements (2.98), low pioductivity (2.92), lack of education (2.82), population growth (2.81), age (2.73) and insufficient land for farming (2.64). Therefore, the study recommends that policies that will reduce the farmland value and grant farmers access to increased land to enhance farm investment, productivity and food security should be formulated and implemented.