ABSTRACT

This study investigated the socio-economic characteristics of farmers as determinants of arable crop production in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia state. Primary data collected from a random sample of 120 arable crop farmers from four communities were randomly selected consisting of 6lmen and 59 women, using well structured questionnaire and interview schedules were used in this study. Data where analyzed using statistical techniques like frequencies, percentages, averages, net profit analysis and relative efficiency indices. The result revealed that the main source of farm land through inheritance and lease/rent. Also majority of the farmers had no contact with extension services and the major identified problems were those associated with scarcity and high cost of labour, credit and other inputs and high incidence of pest and diseases attack. The results show further that the net profit for the farmer is higher, N840 18.5/ha. None of the farmers achieved absolute allocative efficiency. The farmers' over utilized land and labour input which are critical resources in farming, while other variables were also over utilized. It is recommended that barriers to financial credit should be removed, the whole extension system overhauled to achieve appropriate extension services in the country. A major conclusion from the work is that the farmer should be encouraged to take up farming services as a business and as a way of eradicating unemployment, poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria.