The Socio-economic Factors affecting Agricultural Development in the Lower River Benue Basin

Abstract

The study assessed the socio-economic factors which serves as impediments to agricultural development in the Lower River Benue Basin. The study population constituted members of fifteen farmers’ cooperative societies in Makurdi, Tarka, and Gboko Local Government Areas of Benue State. The method of data collection for the socio-economic survey included questionnaire administration, focused group discussions, interviews, and secondary information from published sources. A total of 300 questionnaires were administered and 281 were recovered. Significant socio-economic challenges identified include inadequate access to land, traditional methods of cultivation, inadequate access to credit, inadequate processing and storage facilities, small farm size, and inadequate access to farm inputs. The preponderance of agricultural activities had very little effect on the income of the population which was generally quite low. Factor analyses revealed that educationally developed and agriculturally literate communities have the highest potential to achieve adequate agricultural development. Provision of effective agricultural extension services and adequate support by Government at all levels will improve the agricultural value chain of the study area.

Keywords: socio-economic factors, crop cultivation, farm practices, sustainable agriculture, Lower Benue Basin, tropical agriculture