Estimating the determinants of poverty among farming households in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

Abstract

The research was conducted in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to estimate the determinants of poverty among rural farming households in the area. Multistage sampling technique was used and data were obtained from primary source using a structured questionnaire. Tobit regression model was used to analyse the determinants of poverty in the area. From the result of the Tobit regression, sigma is 0.9886 which is significant at one percent level with intercept of 0.7012 which represents the poverty depth among rural farm households in the area. This indicates that the model has a good fit to the data. Sex of household heads, household size, educational level, farm income, farm size, access to modern farm inputs and distance to clinic were the determinants of poverty in the area. It is recommended that both sexes be involved actively in income generating activities. Training opportunities should be provided for the poor because education is considered the easiest means of breaking the vicious circle of poverty and farmers should be encouraged by government in the area through provision of improved farm inputs.

KEYWORDS: Poverty, farming households, determinants.