ABSTRACT

This research study investigates the factors affecting agribusiness productivity in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. The study seeks to determine the annual output of agribusiness small and medium scale enterprises (agro-SMEs) in the area; examine the factors which affect the output of agribusiness enterprises in the area; and determine the factors militating against the accessibility of agribusiness enterprises to research and extension services. Consequently, the study is significance as to the actualization of the millennium development goals of the government, the encouragement and support given to agribusiness sector of the economy will be stepped towards the right direction; the study shall also help the government to the areas of need of agribusiness enterprises in Ikwuano L.G.A in order to give proper encouragement and support; entrepreneurs and investors were provided with the knowledge of the risk factors and possible recommendations were given; academically, the study adds to volume of articulated literature for reference purposes. The analysis of the hypotheses formulated for the study was carried out using chi-square statistical analysis, as the variables involved which include social and economic factors, agribusiness enterprises, and access to research and extension services were qualitative data variables. The study, sequel to the analyses carried out, revealed that: the annual output of agribusiness small and medium enterprises in Ikwuano L.G.A Abia State r'nge between 70% - 79% noor road network, inadequate funding, inadequate capital, inadequate ia., .. improved seeds or seedlings and other agro inputs, were identified as factors affecting the output of agribusiness activities in the area; the study also observes that these fctors also affect the accessibility of research and extension services in the area. Following the findings, the researcher concludes that; agribusiness activities in Ikwuano LG.A, Abia State is encouraging, but requires improvement; social and economic factors pose significant effect on the productivity of agribusiness activities in the area; although agribusiness enterprises and/or individuals engaged in agribusiness activities in the area have access to research and extension services, social and economic factors affect the accessibility of these research and extension programmes or services in the area; new technologically improved seeds or seedlings and other agro inputs are not readily available to individuals engaged in agribusiness activities in the area. The researcher recommends the need for increased financial allocation for expenditure on agribusiness activities in the area; intensive awareness on research and extension programmes, and community driven development (CDD) strategies, should be employed for enhancing the knowledge of the people in the area about new trends in agribusiness; government should direct their agribusiness research and extension policies towards bringing research and extension service sub-centres closer to the people; government should ensure provision of new technologically improved seeds or seedlings, and other agro inputs for agribusiness operators in the area, so as to ensure enhanced productivity of agro-products in the area.