Role of Off-Farm Income in Agricultural Production and its Environmental Effect in South East, Nigeria (A Case Study of Commercial Motor Cycle Business)

Abstract

Role of off-farm income in agricultural production and its environmental effect in Southeast, Nigeria (A case study of commercial motor cycle business) was studied. Two hundred and forty respondents (240) (One hundred and twenty riders and one hundred and twenty motor cycle users) were selected through multi stage random sampling techniques. The objectives of the study were captured using percentage responses, multiple regression and factor analyses. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The result of socio-economic characteristics of commercial motor cycle riders showed that most riders were youthful, single and experienced. Also, most of the riders used their money generated in the business in hiring labour, procurements of farm inputs, family welfare, expansion of business and procurement of equipment. As well, the menaces caused by motor cycle to the riders and the general society were accidents, traffic jam, crimes, health challenges and gang beating. More so, the determinant factors to the motor cycle riders’ income generated were number of years of experience and marital status. In addition, the effects of motor cycle operations to the environment were dusty and noisy situations, soil erosion, vegetation loss and oil spillage. The avenues in alleviating the affects of motor cycle operations on the environment were use of gadgets, educational programme, ban on the use of big motor cycle, use of traffic control and cleanliness of vehicular emission. The major problems encountered by the riders were extortions by the police, emblem, high cost of fuel and high cost of spare parts. Based on the findings the following recommendations were proffered. There is need to enhance riders’ access to hearing and head protective devices and goggle gadget at affordable prices. Also, experienced and novice riders should be encouraged to remain in business through among others provision of motor cycle parts at affordable prices and rehabilitation of rural roads by the government. Finally, all forms of extortions of the riders should be checkmated and the culprits brought to book.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Farmers’ Participation in Off-Farm Income Employment in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

“…level of probability. This shows that the educated farmers participate in non-farm activities http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V0N0-art1957 166 to credit had negative relation with the participation in off farm income, which is in consent with the a priori expectation and finding of Ume et al (2018). It is expected that farmers that had poor access to credit had a high propensity to engage in off-farm work, compare to those that have access.…”

“…Moreover, 3.3% of the sampled farmers had 1 -5 years of farming experience, 44.2%; 11 -15years and 37.5% had 15 years and above. This implies that majority of the farmers studied were experienced in farming, hence could know when best to embark upon off farm generating income, particularly those that are engaged at the same period with farming activities without posing threat to his/her farm production and productivity (Ume et al 2018).…”

“…Off-farm income activities have received interest from researchers and policy-makers in the past decades, with soaring optimism that advancing it can proffer an alleyway in enhancing farmers' access to credit and agricultural development in countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Haggleladeet al 2003, Lagerkvist al. 2006.Nonfarm income generating activities as opined by Ume et al (2018) are those incomes received by the farmer from nonfarm income activities at different times of the year. The participation in nonfarm activities is the farmers' approach for broaden their horizons of household earnings portfolio (Ellis and Freeman 2004).…”

“…Studies on socio-economic determinant factors affecting farmers' participation in these off-farm income employment in Africa are many (Mishra and Sandretto2001, Arearn, El-osta and Dwebre2006, Misha and Holthausen 2002Ncnamara and Weiss 2005) and similarly, in some part of Nigeria (Babatunde, et al 2010, Ovwigho 2014, Ume et al 2018. The factors often cited by scholars that are based on individual, family and farm characteristics (Ellis and Freeman 2004;Biornsen and Misha 2012), including age of the farmer, educational level, gender, membership of organization farming experience, farm ownership, government payments farm size and farm type (Ellis andFreeman2004, Kwon et al,2006;Lagerkvist et al 2006).However, to the best knowledge of the researcher, no published work on the subject matter in the study area, hence the need for this study becomes imperative as that may perhaps append to intellectual development as it will serve as a guide to scientist for further research and to enhance farmers' participation in off-farm income in order improve their livelihood.…”

“…Also, Access to extension services increased farmers' knowledge about best practices hence increases their productivity. Ume et al (2018), who attributed that to experience gained over many years of experimentations in various off farm activities. However, Ahituv and Kimhi (2002) reported a negative relationship between the two variables.…”