Farm and non-farm income diversification activities among rural households in southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed farm and non-farm income diversification activities among rural households in Southeast, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to collection data from three hundred and sixty (360) rural households using structured interview schedule. Means, percentage and frequency count were used to analyse the objectives of the study. The result showed that 82.5 % of rural households diversified their income sources into other non-farm activities as against 17.5% that depended solely to farm activities. Further analysis indicated that 64.4 % of the rural households engaged in crop production, 46.9 % practiced livestock production, 5% were into collection of forestry products, 13.1 % engaged in farm products processing while 23.3 % engaged in storage and marketing of agricultural products. However, the various non-farm activities diversified into by the households were: petty trading (53.53 %), storage and marketing of agricultural commodities (31.31 %), sale of landed property (15.82 %), agricultural wage labour (16.84 %) and hire purchase (9.09 %). Others included rental services (19.52 %), transportation (example taxis, motorcycle and tri-cycle business) (21.21 %), craftsmanship (13.46 %) and civil/public service jobs (28.28 %). The study recommended that government should improve rural infrastructures like good road network, electrification, potable water, telecommunication service, and affordable healthcare system since they are important for enhancing socio-economic activities. It is also recommended that government should initiate policy for reducing risk and uncertainties inherent in agricultural activities in order to encourage farmers to remain in the business of farming.

Keywords: Diversification, economic activities, rural households, livelihood, South East Nigeria