Farm and Non-Farm Income Diversification Activities among Rural Households in Southeast, Nigeria

The study assessed farm and non-farm income diversification activities among rural households in Southeast, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to collection data from three hundred and sixty (360) rural households using structured interview schedule. Means, percentage and frequency count were used to analyse the objectives of the study. The result showed that 82.5 % of rural households diversified their income sources into other non-farm activities as against 17.5% that depended solely to farm activities. Further analysis indicated that 64.4 % of the rural households engaged in crop production, 46.9 % practiced livestock production, 5% were into collection of forestry products, 13.1 % engaged in farm products processing while 23.3 % engaged in storage and marketing of agricultural products. However, the various non-farm activities diversified into by the households were: petty trading (53.53 %), storage and marketing of agricultural commodities (31.31 %), sale of landed property (15.82 %), agricultural wage labour (16.84 %) and hire purchase (9.09 %). Others included rental services (19.52 %), transportation (example taxis, motorcycle and tri-cycle business) (21.21 %), craftsmanship (13.46 %) and civil/public service jobs (28.28 %). The study recommended that government should improve rural infrastructures like good road network, electrification, potable water, telecommunication service, and affordable healthcare system since they are important for enhancing socio-economic activities. It is also recommended that government should initiate policy for reducing risk and uncertainties inherent in agricultural activities in order to encourage farmers to remain in the business of farming

Farmers Income and Savings Pattern in Benue State, Nigeria

The study analyzed farmers’ income and savings pattern in Benue State. Both multi-stage random and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select 140 respondents for the study. The study employed primary data which was collected through the use of the structured questionnaire that was administered to the respondents. The results of the socio-economic characteristics showed that the majority (65.7%) of the respondents were males with an average household size of 8 persons and who earn an average annual income of N144.375.00. The result equally showed that farm size, level of access to credit, diversification of income sources, types of investment and risks inherent in the business are the major determinants of the income level of the small scale farmers. The farmers engaged in the following farm activities, crop production, hunting, fishing, the gathering of forest products, marketing of agricultural products and livestock production. However, the non-farm activities they are engaged in include trading, teaching non-farm wage labour and self-employment. The result also shows that farmers adopted both formal and informal savings method but there were higher preferences for the informal method as indicated by their preferences for savings in rotator savings and credit Association (ESUSU) and daily contribution schemes. The result of the multiple regression shows the coefficient of determination R2 was 0.728 while the adjusted R2 was 72.8%. The coefficients of gender, educational qualification annual income, farming experience, and farm size were positively signed. The test of the hypothesis indicated that the socio-economic characteristics of the small scale farmers have significant effects on the savings pattern adopted in the study area. Consequently, the study recommended the establishment of banks in the rural area; establishment of enlightenment programme to create awareness among the rural farmers and provision of modern processing and storage facilities for agricultural produce so as to improve on their farm returns and increase savings habits among the farmers

Farmers Income and Savings Pattern in Benue State, Nigeria

The study analyzed farmers’ income and savings pattern in Benue State. Both multi-stage random and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select 140 respondents for the study. The study employed primary data which was collected through the use of the structured questionnaire that was administered to the respondents. The results of the socio-economic characteristics showed that the majority (65.7%) of the respondents were males with an average household size of 8 persons and who earn an average annual income of N144.375.00. The result equally showed that farm size, level of access to credit, diversification of income sources, types of investment and risks inherent in the business are the major determinants of the income level of the small scale farmers. The farmers engaged in the following farm activities, crop production, hunting, fishing, the gathering of forest products, marketing of agricultural products and livestock production. However, the non-farm activities they are engaged in include trading, teaching non-farm wage labour and self-employment. The result also shows that farmers adopted both formal and informal savings method but there were higher preferences for the informal method as indicated by their preferences for savings in rotator savings and credit Association (ESUSU) and daily contribution schemes. The result of the multiple regression shows the coefficient of determination R2 was 0.728 while the adjusted R2 was 72.8%. The coefficients of gender, educational qualification annual income, farming experience, and farm size were positively signed. The test of the hypothesis indicated that the socio-economic characteristics of the small scale farmers have significant effects on the savings pattern adopted in the study area. Consequently, the study recommended the establishment of banks in the rural area; establishment of enlightenment programme to create awareness among the rural farmers and provision of modern processing and storage facilities for agricultural produce so as to improve on their farm returns and increase savings habits among the farmers

Farm and Non-Farm Income Diversification Activities among Rural Households in Southeast, Nigeria

The study assessed farm and non-farm income diversification activities among rural households in Southeast, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to collection data from three hundred and sixty (360) rural households using structured interview schedule. Means, percentage and frequency count were used to analyse the objectives of the study. The result showed that 82.5 % of rural households diversified their income sources into other non-farm activities as against 17.5% that depended solely to farm activities. Further analysis indicated that 64.4 % of the rural households engaged in crop production, 46.9 % practiced livestock production, 5% were into collection of forestry products, 13.1 % engaged in farm products processing while 23.3 % engaged in storage and marketing of agricultural products. However, the various non-farm activities diversified into by the households were: petty trading (53.53 %), storage and marketing of agricultural commodities (31.31 %), sale of landed property (15.82 %), agricultural wage labour (16.84 %) and hire purchase (9.09 %). Others included rental services (19.52 %), transportation (example taxis, motorcycle and tri-cycle business) (21.21 %), craftsmanship (13.46 %) and civil/public service jobs (28.28 %). The study recommended that government should improve rural infrastructures like good road network, electrification, potable water, telecommunication service, and affordable healthcare system since they are important for enhancing socio-economic activities. It is also recommended that government should initiate policy for reducing risk and uncertainties inherent in agricultural activities in order to encourage farmers to remain in the business of farming

Socio-economic Determinants of Agripreneurship Choice among Youths in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The current down turn in the global oil sector has necessitated the quest for alternative means of wealth creation through effective engagement of youths in agripreneurship. However, the socio-economic determinants of agripreneurship choice among youths in Ebonyi State, Nigeria seem not to have been empirically established. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique in eliciting data from one hundred and eighty youth agripreneurs using structured questionnaires. The study also employed both descriptive and inferential statistics to realize the objectives. The result showed that about 60% of the youth agripreneurs in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were males who are within the mean active age of 27 years and earn a mean annual income of N77, 333 on average household size of five 5 persons. The most revealed agripreneurial choices of the youths were farm production (crop and livestock production), farm input supply, agro-processing, and marketing/distribution. The probit regression analysis result revealed that with the Pearson Goodness-of-fit of 1148.799 which was statistically significant at 1% (P<0.01), and the Pseudo R2 value of 0.058, the socio-economic characteristics of youth has strong significant effect on the agripreneurial choice among the youth. Based on the findings, the study recommended for agripreneurship education and training at all levels to ensure capacity building among the youth for diverse agro-enterprises

Socio-economic Determinants of Agripreneurship Choice among Youths in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The current down turn in the global oil sector has necessitated the quest for alternative means of wealth creation through effective engagement of youths in agripreneurship. However, the socio-economic determinants of agripreneurship choice among youths in Ebonyi State, Nigeria seem not to have been empirically established. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique in eliciting data from one hundred and eighty youth agripreneurs using structured questionnaires. The study also employed both descriptive and inferential statistics to realize the objectives. The result showed that about 60% of the youth agripreneurs in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were males who are within the mean active age of 27 years and earn a mean annual income of N77, 333 on average household size of five 5 persons. The most revealed agripreneurial choices of the youths were farm production (crop and livestock production), farm input supply, agro-processing, and marketing/distribution. The probit regression analysis result revealed that with the Pearson Goodness-of-fit of 1148.799 which was statistically significant at 1% (P<0.01), and the Pseudo R2 value of 0.058, the socio-economic characteristics of youth has strong significant effect on the agripreneurial choice among the youth. Based on the findings, the study recommended for agripreneurship education and training at all levels to ensure capacity building among the youth for diverse agro-enterprises

Socio-economic Determinants of Agripreneurship Choice among Youths in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The current down turn in the global oil sector has necessitated the quest for alternative means of wealth creation through effective engagement of youths in agripreneurship. However, the socio-economic determinants of agripreneurship choice among youths in Ebonyi State, Nigeria seem not to have been empirically established. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique in eliciting data from one hundred and eighty youth agripreneurs using structured questionnaires. The study also employed both descriptive and inferential statistics to realize the objectives. The result showed that about 60% of the youth agripreneurs in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were males who are within the mean active age of 27 years and earn a mean annual income of N77, 333 on average household size of five 5 persons. The most revealed agripreneurial choices of the youths were farm production (crop and livestock production), farm input supply, agro-processing, and marketing/distribution. The probit regression analysis result revealed that with the Pearson Goodness-of-fit of 1148.799 which was statistically significant at 1% (P<0.01), and the Pseudo R2 value of 0.058, the socio-economic characteristics of youth has strong significant effect on the agripreneurial choice among the youth. Based on the findings, the study recommended for agripreneurship education and training at all levels to ensure capacity building among the youth for diverse agro-enterprises