Labour-use and productivity of arable crops among rural farming households in Kwara State, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Nigeria

2 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined labour use and productivity of arable crops among rural farming households in Kwara State, Nigeria. Some of the specific objectives of this research were to; identify the cropping patterns among rural farming households in the study area; examine the extent of labour use for the various cropping enterprises among rural farming households in the study area; identify effect of labour use on production of arable crops among rural farming households in the study area. Data obtained were within the areas randomly selected of arable crop farmers. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, Partial Factor productivity and Likert type scale. The results revealed that most of the sampled arable farmers were between the ages of 46-55 years old (46.3 %). Analysis on the cropping patterns practiced revealed that mixed cropping was the common practice in the study area. Maize cropping was almost planted by all respondents. 32 % of the crop combination had cassava plantation and yam, maize and cassava were intercropped. The extent of labour use was examined in line in the study area, which shown that family, hired and communal labour were used to carry out different activities. The effect of labour use on production was determined by regression analyses and the labour use was 5 % significant on the farm output of arable crops with R2 of 0.482. The most severe challenge faced by arable crop farmers was high wage rate by the labourers.

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