Analysis of the Effect of Farm Labour Supply on Food Crop Production in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Labour supply is a critical factor of production in a developing economy. But over the years, there has been reduction in labour supply in Nigeria due to massive emigration of youths to urban areas. This is has critically affected food production output, such that domestic supply cannot meet up with demand of about 180 million people in the country. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of farm labour supply on food crop production in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Primary data sources were used to elicit information from 120 food crop farmers selected using a 3-stage sampling procedure. Analytical techniques employed included descriptive statistics, ordinary least square regression and likert attitudinal scale model. The results revealed that there was very low level of family labour participation in farming activities; thus, hired labour was the main source of labour supply in the area. In addition, labour supply had significant effect on the output of food crop farmers who operated at an increasing return to scale during the production period. Moreover, labour supply, farm size, capital input, fertilizer application and socioeconomic factors such as educational level, health status and farm income significantly affected food crop production in the area. It was recommended that there should be policy framework directed at revitalizing rural communities for increased farm labour supply, especially among youths through the provision of functional social amenities in the area.