Analysis of Entrepreneurship Development in Agriculture among Arable Crop Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was on entrepreneurship development in agriculture among arable crop farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. Sixty households entrepreneurs were selected using multi-stage random sampling techniques. Well structured questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and 3-point likert scale rating of highly, moderately and low. Mean age was 42.11years. Majority (76.33%) were males. Greater proportions (71.67%) were married with an average household size of 5.0 persons. Farmers cultivated on an average farm size of 1.61Ha. Average annual farm income was N118,392.00 ($789.28). Reasonable proportion of the farmers identified personal intension, wanting autonomy and displacement/disruption in life as the key drive to entrepreneurship development in the area. Entrepreneurship enterprises have been invaluable to farmers in the area. However, farmers complained of poor access to entrepreneurship information, inadequate start-up capital and long distance between farms and market in the area. Despite this shortcomings farmers perceived their extent of entrepreneurship drive and participation as been high (X=4.50). It was therefore recommended that effective and adequate entrepreneurship policies and programmes should be developed for farmers while urgently addressing the negative factors that hinder its growth and development in the area. Fostering entrepreneurship education at all levels to ensure capacity building for diverse enterprises in agriculture was also advocated. Ultimately, government at all levels and private’s sector support fund is necessary to enhance entrepreneurship spirit and development among farmers in the area and beyond.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Development, Entrepreneurship drive, Participation, Farming activities, Barriers