ABSTRACT

The object of the study is to compare the population growth and agricultural production iii the period 1 992-2006. Secondary data were used in this study and was analyzed using simple statistical tools for objectives I and 2 while objccli\.'Cs 3 and 4 was analy/c(l by means of regression. Dala were coflccted on agricultural output, cropped area of land, population, number of house olds, change in population, population growth rate, and change in output, growth rate of output (%), and change in crop area aI1loi1LSE others. HIC data COVCJS thìe period of' 1 992-2006. The ordinary least square regression technique was used to examine the impact of population and land on agricultural production. i'he regression result reveals that the laud available for agriculture is on the decrease due to rapid population growth and urbanization, Also a positive chaune in population can increase OVCI hue years withu greatest increase recorded in 1996. For determinants on population grov1h and land on agricultural production, the F-ratio shows that population is significant at 1 percent level and positively related to output implying that increase in this variable will lead to increase in agricultural product ion. lor the determinant of the impact of population on agricultural land, the f-ratio shows that all the coefficient of determination were sign i 1'icant at I peu cen I and II ,e Si gn o variable coiiforins to a prior expectation lIased on this findings, it is recoinuiended that people should be encouraged to take up furniing as an occupation through loans and other incentives (loan subsidy and inj)Lit subsidy) especially our young graduates. Also people should he educated to have the number of children that they would cater for to avoid population explosion. Also farmers should be encouraged by giving them incentives so as to increase their production; there should be a review of land use degree making more agricultural oriented so that land will be available for agricultural production