Economic Analysis of Land Allocation Use and Intensification among Arable Crop Farmers in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the agricultural land allocation pattern and the level of land use intensification among farming household heads in Uruan local government area of Akwa Ibom state in the southern Nigeria. Two - stage random sampling technique was used to select 240 farming household heads. Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from sample farming household heads in the study area. Combination of analytical tools including descriptive Statistics, Herfindahl index, Crop Diversification index, and Ordinary Least Squares technique were used to analyze the specific objectives. Analysis of socio economic characteristics reveal that majority of farming household heads were males, learned and have moderate family size as well as small farm land. The result also reveals that agricultural land in the area was mostly acquired through inheritance and outright purchase. Analysis of crop combination shows that pumpkin, maize cassava and white yam was the most prefer crop combination in the study area. An average Herfindal index of 0.641 and land intensification index of 0.8654 were obtained among respondents. Also, a negative relationship was discovered between land intensification index and farm size in the study area. The study therefore suggests for provisions of improved seed varieties and other inputs to farming household heads by the Akwa Ibom state government. Also, state government should intensify effort to reclaimed less productive land and developed Fadama projects in the state to reduce the menace of land use intensification among farming household heads in the area.

Keywords: Land, Allocation, Crop, Farmers, Intensification, Resource, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.