Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

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Agwu et al

Greener Journal of  Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2 (8), pp.392-397, December 2012

 ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number:110112200

 

Socio-Economic Determinants of Commercialization among Small Holder Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria  


N.M. Agwu, C.I. Anyanwu and E.I. Mendie  

 

College Of Management Sciences, Michael Okpara
University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

Corresponding Author’s E-mail: namak71@ yahoo.com or agwu.nnanna @ mouau.edu.ng


Abstract:

The general objective of the study is to analyse the socio- economic determinants of commercialization among smallholder farmers in Abia state, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to: (i) examine the level of commercialization among the farmers (ii) estimate the determinants of commercialization among the smallholder farmers in the study area; and make recommendations based on the findings. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for this study. First, two local government areas were selected from each of the three agricultural zones. From these local government areas, three communities were chosen. Finally, a random selection of twenty farmers was selected each from the three communities, bringing a total of one hundred and eighty (180) farmers / respondents. Primary source of data was used for the study. This was actualized with questionnaire administered to the already selected respondents. Enumerator who had already been trained assisted in the distribution and collection of data. Objective (i) employed household commercialization index (HCI), while objective (ii) was realized using multiple regression. The result of the commercialization index showed that among all the crops studied none attained a ratio above 30% . Cassava had the highest ratio of 29.58% . This was followed by maize having a ratio of 24.02% . Sweet potatoes came third with the ratio of 19.06% , while cocoyam and water yam was fourth and fifth respectively with 13.79% and 13.55% . This implies that there is a low level of orientation towards cassava commercialization in the study area. The coefficient of household size, income, farming experience, farm size, distance to market, membership of society and access to credits, were all significant at various probability levels and with different signs influencing commercialization in the study area. It is therefore recommended that markets should be created where none exist. Support to facilities in storage, business management capacity building, packing and processing should be provided. Furthermore, interlocked transaction institutional arrangement model is recommended.
 
Keywords: Commercialization, commercialization index, determinants, socio-economic

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