Determinants of livelihood diversification among farm households in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the determinants of livelihood diversification of farm households in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area, identifying the factors influencing farm household livelihood diversification as well as to identify the constraints to farm household livelihood diversification. A multistage sampling technique was used in sampling the respondents. A set of validated questionnaire were used to gather data for the study while a total of 60 respondents were selected. Data were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the majority (60%) were female, aged 20-30years, married (46%) and literate. The majority of them had household size ranging from 4-7 persons, engaged in farming (61.7%) and diversified to non-farm income. The result also revealed that (70%) of the respondents did not have access to credit. The factors influencing livelihood diversification among the farm households were volume of credit received, household size, farm size and marital status.. More so, the major constraints to livelihood diversification among them were unstable electricity (78.3%), poor access to market (65%), insufficient market price of commodity (58.3%), inadequate access to loan (51.7%), inadequate skilled labour (51.7%), high cost of business premises (51.7%) and appreciation in tax rate (51.7%).. The study recommends improved access to credit and strengthening of the credit institutional arrangement to improve the livelihoods of rural households.

Keywords: Determinants, Farm, Households, Livelihood, Diversification