Agriculture as an Index of Socio-Economic Development of Delta State of Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined Agriculture as an index of socio-economic development of DeltaState of Nigeria. Sec- ondary data from the Delta State Household Surveyformed the core of the data used for the study. The stratified random sampling technique was used in administering 2024 questionnaires to respondents in DeltaState. Simple percentages, bar graphs and pie-chart were used for the data analysis. The results of the study showed that agricultural practices in Delta State is gender sensitive with more males than females participating in agricultural production. In addition, fish farming and live- stock production are on the decline, while crop farming is the major interest of the farmers. The swampy areas of DeltaS- tateare grossly underutilized with respect to agricultural productivity, while irrigation farming should be encouraged. The government of DeltaState should also assist farmers by providing them with credit facilities especially in the rural area. Solutions to the identified problems were proffered. World agriculture, in fact comprises of two distinct types of farming (a) the highly efficient agriculture of the devel- oped countries; where substantial productive capacity and high output per workers permit a very small number of farmers to feed entire nations; and (b) the inefficient and low productivity agriculture of developing countries where in many instances the agricultural sector can barely sustain the farm population let alone, the burgeoning urban population, even at a minimum level of subsistence(1) Agriculture is the backbone of Africa's economy. About 70% of Africans and roughly 80% of the continent's poor live in the rural areas and depends mainly on agriculture for their livelihood. The sector accounts for about 20% of the total merchandise exports(2) Agriculture is the main source of income for 90% of the African population. About 70% of the African population, Nigeria inclusive, living on less than 1$ (One dollar) a day are located in rural areas(3) estab- lishing poverty as a rural phenomenon in the region. The study of Inoni(4) revealed that livestock income from small-holder farmers exert a positive and statistically sig- nificant (p< 0.01) effect on improved nutrition, household food security and consequently, rural poverty alleviation. This will help not only to reduce hunger but necessary for