Determinants Agriculture Among Arable Crop Farmers In Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to examine the determinants of agricultural intensification in lkwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. A total of seventy farmers from seven villages in the Local Government Area were randomly selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data, which comprised information on the socio-economic characteristics, were collected using structured questionnaire and personal interviews. The socio-economic characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies. Multiple regression technique was used to analyze factors influencing agricultural intensification. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to examine the various soil management practices used by the respondents. The results show that farmers in the study area were elderly and literate. Farm size was small with a mean of 1.3 hectares while household size was large, with at least 6 persons. Farmers in the study area practice at least six soil management practices with bush fallowing taking the lead. Output sold, soil management practices, farming experience and years of education positively influenced agricultural intensification while household size negatively influenced it. Appropriate economic polices needed to refocus the farmers in agricultural intensification should be implemented.