Poverty Status and Scale Economies of Maize-based Farmers in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between poverty status and scale economies of maize-based farmers in Southwest, Nigeria. Primary data were sourced with the aid of a well-designed questionnaire and oral interview. A multistage sampling technique was used to randomly select 240 maize-based farmers in the area. The main data analysis used were Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) and the probit regression model. The FGT results showed that poverty incidence was prevalent among small-scale farmers across the cropping patterns. It further highlighted the potential of medium and large-scale farming operations in reducing poverty due to their capacity for higher income generation. Moreover, years of farming experience, access to credit, and larger farm sizes emerge as crucial factors in alleviating poverty among farmers using probit regression analysis. However, we noted the impact of certain variables, such as marital status and land acquisition, which can vary regionally and contextually. Therefore, by recognizing the role of farm scale and the various socio-economic factors at play, stakeholders can develop more effective strategies to improve the livelihoods of maize-based crop farmers and promote sustainable agricultural development.