ANALYSIS OF LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION ON THE POVERTY STATUS OF CASSAVA FARMERS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the livelihood diversification on the poverty status of cassava farming households in Ogun State, Nigeria. It specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics, various livelihood activities available to cassava farming households and poverty status of the cassava farmers in the study area? The study also examined the determinants of poverty level and livelihood activities adopted by the cassava farming households in the study area? The study used multistage sampling technique to collect data from 180 cassava farmers through well-structured questionnaire from three Local Government Areas of Ogun State. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage, Probit and Tobit regression models. Results from descriptive analysis showed that cassava production was dominated by males (86.5percent), well educated (69.1percent had secondary and above) and relatively young farmers with about 54.9percent under 50 years old. The study showed that livelihood activities available to farming households were; artisan, trading, okada riding, civil service, commercial vehicle driving, labour wage, contractor and rental service which serve as sources of income to boost their household per capita income and reduce their poverty status. Determinants of poverty among the farming households from the Probit model analysis showed that only children schooling, diversification and farm size were significant variables in determining poverty among the cassava farming households in the study area. Determinants of adopting livelihood activities by the cassava farming households as revealed by the Tobit model showed that age, farm size, household size, and poverty status were significant variables in determining the adoption of livelihood activities. The study therefore recommended that policies that would increase farm size, attention to improved education and create vocational centres for purpose of allowing the youths acquire different skills that would ensure income diversification should be encouraged.