Sustaining Small Scale Farming: Evidence of Poverty and income Disparity among Rural Farming Households in South-South Region of Nigeria

Abstract

The incidence of poverty is evidenced among rural farm households in developing societies. As a result of persistence poverty among rural farm households, there is sudden upsurge in agricultural livelihood diversification and rural-urban migration resulting in high rate of urban unemployment. To help generate suitable policy variables to help tackle this rampaging issue in the South-south region of Nigeria, this study specifically analyzes poverty and income inequality as well as identified determinants of poverty among rural farm households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 390 rural farm household heads spread across the rural areas of the State. Combination of sampling methods was employed to sample cross sectional data from respondents. The study used descriptive tools and regression analysis (Tobit regressions) to analyze information collected. The socioeconomic analysis reveals that, most farming household heads were male; an average of 12.3 years of formal was discovered; social capital formation was poor, while average age stood at 42.5 years. About 33.08 % of male headed households and 22.05 % of female headed households live below poverty line in the study area. Income inequality index revealed 0.4210 for male headed households and 0.4531 for female counterpart. The Tobit model estimates revealed that, household head farming experience, years in social organization, level of formal education, farm and non-farm income were negative drivers of rural poverty in the region. Household's age, household size, structure of land ownership and gender were positive drivers of poverty among rural farming households. It is recommended that sound family welfare packages should be implemented in the rural communities. Also, social capital formation should be promoted among rural farming households, while adult education policies should be re-visited. Government of the region should also improve educational facilities in the rural areas and make marginal lands available to less privileged farmers.

Socio-economics characteristics, income inequality, and poverty status of female headed cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) farming households in federal capital territory, Nigeria

“…The study reveals it a ratio 3:1 in terms of access to credit. This agrees with the findings of Akpan et. al., (2013).…”

Rural Households Livelihood Portfolios and Determinates of Livelihood Diversification in North-Western Ethiopia

“…Hence, those adult family members can engage in off-farm employment to support their family. This finding is consistent with the findings of Vinefall (2015), Akpan et al (2016); Gecho (2016), and Irohibe and Agwu (2014). However, it is inconsistent with the researcher's expectation and money other similar researchers finding.…”

Analysis of Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (Ict) Among Cassava Farmers in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

“…The educational distribution of respondents indicated that most (85%) had formal education, with the majority (47.33%) having secondary education. It is expected that the high literacy level will facilitate their usage of ICT as their source of information (Akpan, 2016). Omoregie and Igbinosa (2015) also reported that the literate households are most likely to use ICT as their source of obtaining productive information in the farm business.…”