Socio – Economic Determinants Of Arable Crop Production In Abia State

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to determine the socio-economic factors affecting arable crop production in Abia State, using Ikwuano Local Government Area as a case study. Primary data data used for this study were collected from 88 respondents through systematic Random sampling well-structured quest questionnaire were administered using trained  enumerators residents in the area. I )ala analyses were carried out using frequency tables, percentages, production function analysis and gross margin analysis. The Double log. Functional form was chosen as the lead equation. The adjusted R2(0.45) showed that ' the variations in the total output o Arabic crop farmers were explained by the explanatory variable. Front the analysis, it could be seen that only four of the variables  were statistically significant and had positive coefficient implying that they were major determinants of agricultural output. It was also observed that while household sizes were significant at 5%, farm size, labour and capital; was significant at 1 % levels. The gross margin analysis showed that yam was the most profitable enterprise followed by cassava enterprise  the test i.e. maize, silicon, cocoyam had lower profit margins respectively. The constraints faced by farmers in decreasing, magnitude of importance included: lack of fertilizers ( 50%), lack of' credits/loan, ( 55%), Government policy (33% ), unavailability of land (27% ),The (22%), high interest rate on loaned funds (1 7%), incidence of pests and diseases (1 6% ). It is recommended that there is the need government to ensure strict implementation of her policies especially with regards to provision of fertilizers to the farmers and also making credit and loan facilities available to

then) when they need it.