ANALYSIS OF POVERTY STATUS AMONG FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN CENTRAL ZONE OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the poverty status of farming households in Central Zone of Plateau State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting the respondents. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and were analysed using both descriptive (percentage and mean) and inferential statistics (Foster, Greer and Thorbecke and Logistic regression). The results revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 40 years, most of the respondents were married with an average number of 5 persons per households, and relatively low-income level but well educated, it was also confirmed that the average annual income of the respondents was ₦148,855 generated as a result of relatively large farm sizes as indicated by the average farm size of 3.8ha. The finding further reveals that inadequate government support, non-accessibility to improved seeds alongside poor road network/reserves and inadequate healthcare facilities were the major causes of poverty among the respondents. The poverty status was found to be at a moderate poverty line with (2/3 MPCI) of ₦99,236.36 and a core poverty line (1/3 MPCI) of ₦49,618.18, while the poverty incidence and severity were found to be at 0.505 and 0.299 respectively. Some of the major constraints identified in the study area were; inadequate access to funds, security issues and inadequate seminars/workshops. Emanating from the findings it can be concluded that the factors influencing poverty statutes of the farming households were income, education level, age, household size and farming experience. Based on the constraints highlighted the study recommends, the need for government and other relevant stakeholders such as financial agencies and non-governmental organizations to provide support through provision of loans, grants, trainings and seminars on the use of novel technologies in agriculture to foster and boost production among the farming households most especially in the rural settlements.