Assessing Rice Farmers’ Coping Strategies to Labour Scarcity in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the coping strategies of small holder rice farmers in the face of agricultural labour challenges in Guma local government area of Benue state, Nigeria. Literature was reviewed to ascertain the results of other scholars across the globe on the various strategies that farmers have used to cope with the challenge of labour scarcity in agriculture. This study adopted a survey research design with a population of 5125 small holder rice farmers, out of whom 371 respondents were determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. These respondents were sampled using a multi-stage sampling strategy (simple and purposive random sampling techniques). Pre-tested and well structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 26.0); frequencies and percentages derived were presented in tables and a bar chart. Study findings indicated that the farmers adopt coping strategies such as the intense use of family labour; increased use of chemicals; preference for other crops (such as cassava, sweet potatoes and vegetables); importation of labour from other regions; marrying more wives and leasing out fadama (swampy and fertile) land. The study concluded that, the coping strategies adopted are not viable and sustainable in the 21st century; and thus recommended that the task of overcoming agricultural labour scarcity must not be left in the hands of the rural farmers alone; all stakeholders must be actively involved in finding sustainable coping strategies which must include mechanization of farms.