Family Farming Practices in Taraba State

Abstract

The study examined family farming practices in Taraba State. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from farmers. A total of 90 respondents were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study show that weeding ( x =2.67); planting of crops ( x =3.11), application of fertilizer ( x =3.02) and herbicides ( x =2.83) were the farming activities practiced by family farmers. Social cohesion- unity and oneness in task execution ( x =3.00); safe-guard for food security ( x =3.02); traditional practices in agriculture ( x =3.00) and labour pools to reduce cost of labour ( x =2.98) were some of the characteristics of family farming. Poor soil fertility ( x =2.27), lack of finance ( x =2.29), land tenure problems ( x =2.12) and poor access road to farm land ( x =2.32) were the challenges to family farming activities in the study area. It was concluded that family farming seems to have been in existence contributing to change in taste, demand for food varieties, food security and human nutrition.

Keywords: Family farming, farming activities, constraints to family farming