Optimum Farm Plan for Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Subject Areas : Agricultural Extension

Ohajianya  D. O ¹ (Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria)
Enwerem  V. A ² (Imo State FADAMA Development Office, Imo ADP Headquarters, Okigwe Road, Owerri Imo State.)
Offodile  P. O ³ (4Department of Research, NIMANSA, Apapa Lagos)
Onyeagocha  S. U. O ⁴ (Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria)
Osuji  M. N ⁵ (Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria)
Nwaiwu  I. U ⁶ (Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria)
Henri-Ukoha  A ⁷ (Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria)
Echetama  J. A ⁸ (Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria)

Received: 2015-12-25 Accepted : 2015-12-25 Published : 2011-12-01

Keywords: Food Security, Smallholder farmers, optimum farm plan, Imo state,

Abstract :

The paper determined optimum farm plan for food security among smallholder farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. Data were collected with structured and validated questionnaire from 180 smallholder crops farmers in Imo State. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency distribution and percentages), budgetary analysis and linear programming model. Results show that the mean age of the farmers was 41 years, mean household size was 9 persons, mean farm size was 1.25 hectares mean farming experience was 19years and mean level of education was 8.3 years. The enterprises that contributed greatly to the smallholder farmers’ net return were food crops and cash crops with net returns per annum of N122666 and N116850 respectively. The profit lines as determined with the linear programming model were 6.8 and 4.9 for food crops and cash crops respectively, and this is the optimal feasible solution. [Ohajianya, D. O et al. Optimum Farm Plan for Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2011; 1(4):145-148].

References:

1. Aderinola, E. A. (1989). Socioeconomics and institutional factors affecting farm management decision among Nigeria farmers”. Paper presented at the workshop on farm Management in Nigeria. The problems and prospects, Owena Motels, Akure, 28/30 November, Pp. 18/19

2. Alagba, R., Obiefuna, J. C and Ibeawuchi, I. (2009). Rural women perception of global food Crisis and Coping Mechanisms in the Tropical rainforest. Proceedings of the International Conference on Global Food Crisis, April 19-24, Pp. 358-361.

3. Amao, J. O. (2009). Small scale Cassava processing (Garri) in Surulere Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Food Production in a Developing Economy. Vol.43, No 6 Pp. 24-30.

4. Ezekiel, A. A., Olagunju, F. I and Adepoju, A. A. (2009). Optimum farm plan for food security among small scale farmers on Ondo State, Nigeria. Food production in a Developing Economy.Pp. 12-16.

5. Footsteps. F. (1997). Food Security. 10 (23): 12-13.

6. Imo State Statistical Year Book. (2004). Publications of the Imo State Government.

7. Federal Republic of Nigeria. (2006). Report of the final 2006 Census Result Published as Official Population Figures of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Official Gazzette. 96(2).

8. Ojo, M. O., Balogun, O and Eubuomosun, G. O. (1993). Sustaining Agricultural Production in the regulated economy” Journal of Economic and financial Review, 31(2): 9-13.

9. Olayide, S. O. (1980). Agricultural policy for Nigerian small farmers” Ed. By S.O Olayide CARD, 1980.

10. Olayide, S. O. (1975). Organizing and Administrating small farmers in Nigeria. Nigeria small farmers,ed. S.O Olayide, CARD, 1975.