SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS AND RISKS OF COTTON CONTRACT FARMERS IN EASTERN AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined socio-economic indicators and risks of cotton contract farmers in eastern agricultural zone of Niger State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to purposively and randomly select 122 respondents from the study area. Interview and questionnaire methods were used in the data collection and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (chi-square). The results disclosed that 64.7% of cotton contract farmers were between the ages of 20-29 years, single (70.5%), majority (72.1%) acquired tertiary education, 89.3% had contact farming experience of nine years and majority (81.1%) and (86.9%) had household size of 5-9 persons and land owned by inheritance, respectively. Many (46.7%) of the farmers perceived price stability as the benefits for their participation in cotton contract farming and majority (68.9%) learnt about cotton contract farming from extension agents and Agricultural Development Projects. The findings further showed a significant (χ² = 56.246, P<0.05) relationship between farmers participation in cotton contract farming and sex. The chi-square results revealed that there was significant (χ² = 97.155, P<0.05) relationship between farmers participation in cotton contract farming and educational levels. The study concluded that there was significant relationship between farmer’s participation in cotton contract farming and their socio-economic variables such as sex, marital status, highest education level attained, contact with extension agent and the perceived benefits. The study recommended regular dissemination of information to the cotton contract farmers in the study area in order to take advantage of comparative advantages and price stability.