Assessment Of Small Scale Farmers\' Strategies In Alleviating Poverty In Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the strategies employed by farmers in alleviating poverty in Delta State, Nigeria. An interview schedule was used to collect data from 90 randomly selected farmers. Findings showed that majority of the respondents were males (86.7%) with majority having low education. Majority of respondents were above 51 years old (60%). The major poverty alleviation strategies employed by the respondents were collection of gifts from wealthier relatives (M=4.40), sales of wood (M = 4.29) and cultivating several crops (M = 4.12). The major constraints faced were lack of good roads (M = 4.49), difficulty in obtaining credit (M = 4.42), inadequate storage facilities (M=4.32) and inadequate market for produce (M = 4.29). Result also showed a significant association between respondents' age (X2=20.27), level of education (X2=12.79), respondents' enterprise (X2=16.328) and the poverty alleviation strategies employed. It was recommended that farmers should be assisted with the provision of infrastructures such as roads and storage facilities Extension agents should also assist farmers in obtaining credit and provision of market information. Keywords : small scale farmers, poverty alleviation strategies Journal of Agriculture and Social Research Vol. 7 (1) 2007: pp. 63-70