Diversification and farm household welfare in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Akaakohol, Msoo A.; Aye, Goodness C.

doi:10.1080/21665095.2014.919232

Cited by 60 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The probability of crop diversification is 16.5% higher for male headed households compared to female headed households. This result is supported by Akaakohol and Aye (2014), Fetien et al (2009) and Mwangi et al (2013).…”

Section: Determinants Of Crop Diversificationsupporting

confidence: 80%

Determinants of crop diversification amongst agricultural co-operators in Dundwa agricultural camp, Choma district, Zambia

Dube¹,

Numbwa²,

Guveya³

2016

AJARD

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1A sound understanding of the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder farmers and how they influence their crop diversification decisions would help policy makers in crafting appropriate measures for promoting crop diversification. The objectives of this study is to assess the degree of crop diversification and the factors influencing crop diversification among the farm households at Dundwa Agricultural Camp of Zambia. The study uses primary data collected from 60 farm households using structured questionnaire during the period October to November 2014. The degree of crop diversification among farm households was measured using the Entropy index. Further, the censored Tobit model was used to examine how the farmers' socioeconomic characteristics influences crop diversification. The mean entropy index is 0.88 and this showsa very high degree of crop diversification among the farmers. The Tobit regression model showed that crop diversification is positively influenced by the gender of head of household, the production of cash crops by the household and household investment in basic farming equipment. On contrary, the age of head of household, total farm size, access to agricultural markets and total area cultivated negatively influenced crop diversification. The study recommends for increased capacity building of female headed households in farm decision-making and promoting household investment in basic farming implements as measures to promoting crop diversification.

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Section: Determinants Of Crop Diversificationsupporting

confidence: 80%

Determinants of crop diversification amongst agricultural co-operators in Dundwa agricultural camp, Choma district, Zambia

Dube¹,

Numbwa²,

Guveya³

2016

AJARD

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“…The poverty reduction effect of engaging in off-farm work is recognized by Lanjouw and Lanjouw (2001) and Lanjouw and Shariff (2004). Off-farm work also enhances household consumption expenditure (Akaakohol and Aye 2014). Seng (2015) identified the head of household's age and educational attainment as well as landholding as factors determining participation in non-farm work in rural Cambodia.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study showed that older farmers were more likely to work off-farm, and farmers with larger landholdings were less likely to engage in off-farm work. Household heads with better educations also have a higher propensity for working off the farm (Akaakohol and Aye 2014;Lanjouw and Shariff 2004).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of non-farm work on agricultural productivity: Empirical evidence from northern Ghana

Anang¹

2017

WIDER Working Paper

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This paper investigates the factors influencing participation in non-farm work and the effect of participation on farmers' productivity, using survey data from 300 smallholder farm households in northern Ghana. The study employs an endogenous switching regression model to address selection into non-farm work, and a treatment effects model to measure the effect of participation on productivity. Factors determining participation in off-farm activity include the head of household's gender and years of formal education, the location of the farm, ownership of cattle, and the dependency ratio. Factors affecting productivity include gender, years of formal education, farm size, location of the farm, access to credit, herd ownership, and degree of specialization in rice production. Results from a treatment effects model indicate a positively significant effect of non-farm employment participation on farm productivity. Income diversification therefore remains an important livelihood strategy among smallholders, and earnings from off-farm work enable smallholders to improve their yields.

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“…Successful crop diversification improves food diversity and income, which therefore improves food security within the household. According to Akaakohol and Aye [27], households with access to credit are more likely to have capital to invest in on-farm and off-farm activities which generates more income for the household which is then used to improve food consumption patterns.…”

Section: Access To Creditmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of crop diversification in improving household food security in central Malawi

Mango¹,

Makate²,

Mapemba

et al. 2018

Agric & Food Secur

113

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Background: This paper concerns the role of crop diversification in improving household food security in central Malawi. In this country, the agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder farming and rain-fed food production systems that are facing increasing challenges from land degradation and declining soil fertility. Maize is the staple food crop, and as such, the majority of farmers grow it regardless of land suitability. This has led to what scientists have labeled as "maize poverty trap. " In the event of prolonged drought, maize fails thus leaving farmers food insecure. However, research in Sub-Saharan Africa has shown that crop diversification provides smallholder farmers with a diversity of diet, improves their income, and nutrition security. Due to increased cases of malnutrition and food insecurity, in the wake of climate change, government of Malawi has in the past few years intensified extension efforts for crop diversification. Methods:The study is based on a sample of 271 randomly selected smallholder farming households from central Malawi. It investigates the influence of crop diversification and other household socioeconomic characteristics on the household Food Consumption Score and Household Food Insecurity Access Score. In our analysis, we rely heavily on a combination of ordinary least squares techniques and some descriptive statistics. Results:Our results show that crop diversification, cattle ownership, access to credit and attaining of education have a positive and significant effect on the household Food Consumption Score. Precisely, crop diversification, cattle ownership and access to credit are all significant at 5% level, while education is significant at 10%. In addition, crop diversification and attaining of formal education by household head were found to have a negative and significant effect on Household Food Insecurity Access Score and were all significant at 1% level. Conclusion and policy recommendation:Based on our study findings, we conclude that crop diversification is one viable option in smallholder farming that can ensure establishment of resilient agricultural systems that can contribute significantly to household food security. In terms of policy, the results imply that the current efforts by government of Malawi to intensify promotion of crop diversification should remain a priority policy direction due to the continued malnutrition and food insecurity threat. This is particularly so in this era of climate variability that poses an extra burden to farmers.

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Diversification and farm household welfare in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Cited by 60 publications

References 12 publications

Determinants of crop diversification amongst agricultural co-operators in Dundwa agricultural camp, Choma district, Zambia

Determinants of crop diversification amongst agricultural co-operators in Dundwa agricultural camp, Choma district, Zambia

Effect of non-farm work on agricultural productivity: Empirical evidence from northern Ghana

The role of crop diversification in improving household food security in central Malawi

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