Poverty Profile of Rural Farm Households in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to empirically assess the extent and level of poverty among rural farm households in Southwest, Nigeria. The study drew a sample of 411 rural farm households through a multi-stage sampling technique and the data obtained were analyzed using the descriptive statistical measures, the poverty depth analysis and normalized per capita consumption equation. Results indicated that an average rural farm household needs N253.39/person to meet the daily basic needs. The poverty incidence was 76.40 per cent and more severe among households whose heads were female, having low educational attainment and larger household size. Educational levels, size of land and investment assets owned by the household reduce households’ poverty while household size and dependency ratio entrench it. Implications were drawn for rural education, birth control, access to farmland and rural electrification.

Keywords : Absolute poverty line, farm diversification, per caput  consumption, dietary energy requirement, body mass index.