ABSTRACT

 The study was designed to examine the Factors affecting agricultural productivity - among small holder arabic crop farmers in Abia state, Nigeria. It specifically looked at the socio-economic characteristics of the farmer which was described, the crop mixtures practiced by these farmers were identified, the determinants of productivity of the small holders arable crop farmers were evaluated, the determinants of resource use efficiency of the arable crop farmers was also evaluated and finally the main constraints of arable crop production were Identified. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 60 randomly selected arabic crop farmers. Data analyses were carried out with the use of statistical tools like frequency, mean, percentages and multiple regression models. Primary data collected were analyzed using frequencies, means, and the Ordinary Least Squares multiple regression analysis technique. The result indicates that socio-economic factors such as age, sex, education, farming experience, household size have significant effect on the productivity in the study area. Yam! Cassava maize/vegetable/melon combination was identified as the main crop combination practiced by the farmers in the state. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis on the factors affecting agricultural productivity show that Age, Farm size, planting material, chemical fertilizer, labour input, capital and amount credit are the main determinants of agricultural productivity in the state. Fertilizer and labour were significant determinants of resource use efficiency of the arable crop farmer they were significant at 1%. The results of the analysis shows that the marginal value products estimated for farm size, planting materials, chemical fertilizer, labour, and Capital are -0.849, -0.061, -0.447, 0.08 1, 0.052 respectively which shows under-utilization. The major constraints militating against arabIe crop duction was high incidence of pest and disease provision of credits in the form of improved seed, capital and fertilizer, especially through government and nongovernment agency were recommended.