Population Dynamics, Labour and Small-Holder Farmers’ Productivity in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the population dynamics, labour use and food productivity of small holder farmers in Southeastern Nigeria.  A total of 120 farmer respondents involved in Cassava-based mixed cropping randomly selected (40 each), from three out of the six States that made up the Southeast geo-political zones, was used for the study.  Both primary and secondary sources of data were used.  Simple statistical tools, gross and net margins as well as regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected.  The result of the analysis revealed that farming though profitable is still at subsistence level with a net margin of N28,360 ($US180.64) per hectare, about 46% of the farmers could not afford or access the use of fertilizers and modern inputs required for agricultural intensification prevalent in the area..  The tenure arrangement was by inheritance (64%), which caused much land fragmentations and pressure on limited arable land.  Labour had the highest average factor cost (40.86%), due to high cost of hired labour. The regression result showed that farm size (X₂) and fertilizer application (X₄), are significant (P=0.01), and positively correlated with crop production.  Conversely, population density (X₁) and cropping density (X₃) and labour X₇) were significant (P=0.01), but negatively correlated with crop output.  To ensure higher productivity and net profit, the study recommends that farmers should be provided with required farm inputs at affordable prices by government and land use act decree of 1978 should be reviewed to make land available to genuine farmers for commercial and mechanized farming.  Birth control should be encouraged.

Key words: Population, Labour, Productivity, Small-holder farmers