AN ASSESSMENT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF PEARL MILLET PRODUCTION IN NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA: AN ORDINARY LEAST SQUARE ANALYSIS
Journal Title: Asian Journal Social Sciences & Humanities - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 1
Abstract
Pearl millet is an important staple cereal crop that is a significant source of livelihood and food security to millions of people in northern Nigeria. Over 40% of the population and 30% or more of the cultivable land are devoted to pearl millet production. However, despite its importance, the average yields are low in this country (1.25ton/ha) in comparison to the expected potential yield of (2.5-3.5ton/ha). This huge gap is of great concern and in this light, the need to assess the socioeconomic factors that influence the pearl millet productivity is apparent. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 430 pearl millet farmers in north-western Nigeria, and data were collected by means of structured questionnaire during the 2013/2014 raining season. The methods of analysis employed were descriptive statistics and production function using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression criterion to estimate the parameters of the production function through EVIEWS software. The results obtained indicate that technical inputs such as farm size, fertilizer, manure and seed were yield increasing variables. Regression analysis shows that socioeconomic variables like cooperative membership, credit, education level, extension contact, household size, off-farm income and improved seed have a positive and significant relationship with pearl millet output. However, variables of age and household size were found to be negatively associated with total output. To increase food production, supports from government and NGOs to extend access to credit, promote farmers cooperatives and strengthening extension services are highly recommended.
Authors and Affiliations
U. Mukhtar, Z. Mohamed, M. N. Shamsuddin, J. Sharifuddin, B. G. Muktar
Keywords
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