ABSTRACT

This study examined the Effect of Urbanisation on Agricultural Production in Abia State: a case of Land Availability. Data were collected with the aid of a well structured questionnaire from 60 farmers in three agricultural zones of the study area. It was designed to ascertain the socio — economic characteristics of the fanners with respect to age, farm size gender, household size, educational attainment and marital status. More so the effect of urbamsation on the productivity of the farmers was also estimated. A multi stage random sampling technique was employed in the data collection. Descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares regression analysis were used for data analyses. The study revealed that majority (56.7%) of the respondents were females, Fanners were more of adults with a mean age of 47, they had small household size with a mean of 5 persons per household, majority (98.3%) of the farmers were educated, they were experienced in farming with a mean of 17 years, they had small farm size and majority (81.7%) of the farmers acquired their land by inheritance and rent. The regression result showed that farm size, fertilizer / agrochemicals, land tenure system and cost of farm land were positively significant at 1%. 5%, 1% and 1% respectively while urbanisation measured by decrease in farm size and duration of land use were negatively significant at 1% and 5% respectively. These are expected and in accordance with a priori expectation apart from cost of farm land which is not in accordance with a priori expectation because urbamsation should make the cost of farm land to increase thereby reducing agricultural productivity. The major constraints of agricultural productivity and land availability as a result of urbanisation effect were high cost of land, land fragmentation, increased population and reduced output. Some recommendations such as the need for government to place proper physical planning which will facilitate proper use of land, also legislating and implementing policies aimed at controlling and preserving agricultural land were suggested.