CORRELATES OF INORGANIC FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Ezeh, Chima Innocent and Onwuka, Onyema W and Nwachukwu, Ifeanyi Ndubuto (2008): CORRELATES OF INORGANIC FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA. Published in: Journal of Agriculture and Social Research, Nigeria , Vol. 8, No. 1 (2008): pp. 56-63.

Abstract

This paper investigated the correlates of inorganic fertilizer consumption among smallholder farmers in Abia State, Nigeria A multi – stage random sampling technique was employed in selected local government areas, communities and respondents from the three agricultural zones (Aba, Ohafia and Umuahia) of the state. The sample size was 150. The results of the linear functional model indicate that four (farmer incomes, farm experiences, transportation costs and price of 50kg fertilizer bag) out of the eight variables were key determinants of the smallholder farmers’ fertilizer consumption at 5% risk level. However the combined effects of all the variables explained 57.6 percent of the variations in the total fertilizer consumption rate of the smallholder farmers in Abia state Nigeria. Higher level of subsidy on fertilizer is recommended as a deliberate policy to increase the fertilizer consumption propensity of the smallholder farmers.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Correlates, Inorganic Fertilizer, Consumption, Smallholder farmer
• Subjects: B - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches > B4 - Economic Methodology > B41 - Economic Methodology; A - General Economics and Teaching > A1 - General Economics > A11 - Role of Economics ; Role of Economists ; Market for Economists; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C1 - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General

References

Abott, J.C. (1993) “Financing Fertilizer Distribution Network” In Abott, J.C. (ed) Agricultural and Food marketing in Developing Countries, Selected Reading, U.K. CTA International Publication.

Akinola, A.A and T. Young (1991) “Application of the Tobit Model in the Analysis of Agricultural Innovations Adopted Process: A Study of the Use of Cocoa Spraying Chemical Among Cocoa Farmers: In Agricultural Systems, 36: 36 – 26 – 51.

Aluko, O.I. (1981) “An Appraisal of the 2nd – tier Foreign Exchange Market (SFEM)” In: Phillip and Adekun (eds) Structural Adjustment Programme in Developing Economy: The Case of Nigeria. NISER, Ibadan

Dangote, S. (2003) “An Overview of Fertilizer Importation and Distribution in Nigeria”. A paper presented at National Agri - Input Policies Workshop organized by IFDC Nigeria. NICON – Hilton Hotel Abuja. 26th – 27th August

Ezeh, C.I. (2003) “Agricultural Financing in Depressed Economy – The Socio – economic Determinants. Journal of Sustainable Tropical Agricultural Research 8:89 – 93 . Ezeh, C.I. (2006) “Socio – economic Determinants of Output and Profit Levels of Smallholder Rice Production Systems in Abia State, Nigeria”. Journal of Research in Agriculture. 3(3) 44 – 50

FFD (Federal Fertilizer Department) (2002) Fertilizer Use and Management Practices For Crops in Nigeria. FFD Abuja.

Mbanasor, J.A. (1999) “An Econometric Study of the Production Efficiency of Rural Farmers in South – Eastern Nigeria under SAP” Ph.D Thesis. Department of Agricultural Economics. University of Nigeria.

Nwagbo, E.C. and Achoja, F.O. (2001) “Correlates of Sustainable Fertilizer Consumption Among Smallholder Farmers: An Econometric Approach”. A paper presented at the Annual conference of Nigeria Association of Agricultural Economists at the University of Nigeria Nsukka 11 – 13th June.

Oji, K.O. (1999) “Trends in Agricultural Intensification Under population Pressure among Smallholder Farmers in Imo and Abia States of South – eastern Nigeria” Ph.D Thesis. Department of Agricultural Economics. U.N.N.

Okorji, E.C. (1999) “ Dimensions of Rural Poverty and Food Self – Sufficiency in Nigeria: In Y.C. Fabiyi and E.O. Idowu (eds) Poverty Alleviation and Food Security. NAAE Ibadan.

Onuoha, C. (2006) “ Financial Analysis of Small – Scale Okra Production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria”. M.Sc Dissertation. Department of Agriculture, Abia State University Uturu.

Onwuka, O.W. (2005) “Socio – economic Determinants of Inorganic Fertilizer Consumption Among Smallholder Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria”. M.Sc Dissertation. Dept. of Agriculture, Abia State University Uturu