Effect of arable crop production on poverty status of farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effect of arable crop production on the poverty status of farmers in Bida local government, Niger State. Multistage sampling was employed to sample 180 respondents, Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting techniques, total factor productivity, Foster, Greer and Thorbecke and Logit Regression Model. The results indicate farmers mean age of 37 years with 69.5% having formal education, with a net income of N211,10. Seed (.0908), farm size (.0465), level of education (.0746) and income (0.5678) had direct influence on the productivity of the farmers. Based on the poverty line (₦ 4741.79), 65% of the farmer were found to be poor. Extension contact (-.8419), access to credit (-1.1989) and income (-.034) had inverse relationship with the poverty status of arable farmers. It was recommended that the farmers should form farmer cooperatives to take advantage of economics of scale for purchase of inputs.