Impact of contract farming on productivity and food security status of smallholder maize farmer’s households in Kano and Kaduna States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed impact of contract farming on productivity and food security status of smallholder maize farmer’s household in Kano and Kaduna States, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from 466 smallholder maize farmers with the use of a-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, household dietary diversity scores (HDDS), and propensity score matching were used to achieve objectives of the study. Result of descriptive statistics shown that, average age of contract participants was 39 years; with farming experience of 20 years and had an average farm size of 2.39 ha. On the other hand, non-contract participants had an average age of 37years and average farming experience of 18years with a farm size average of 2.34 ha. HDDS result revealed households participating in contract farming to have mildly better food security status with an average dietary diversity score of 5.16, against non-contract participating farmers that have 3.15 household dietary diversity score average. PSM result for the impact revealed that contract farming had positively (P<0.01) impacted on maize yield (ATT=1.7ton/ha), and food security status of the participating household (ATT=0.893). Therefore, participation in maize contract farming increases productivity and reduces food insecurity status of smallholder maize farmers; it can therefore be recommended that contract farming can be used as an instrument to reduce food insecurity and poverty among rural farming household.