Effects of Improved Vegetable Seeds on Farmers’ Income and Poverty Status in Selected LGAS, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effects of access to improved vegetable seeds on farmers’ income and poverty reduction in Rivers State, Nigeria. Primary data obtained through the use of well- structured questionnaire was collected through a multistage sampling technique in selecting 180 vegetable farmers. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive (mean, frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics such as logit and ordinary least square regression model and principal component analysis. The results of the socioeconomic characteristics of the vegetable farmers in the study area showed that majority (70%) of the vegetable farmers were 45 years and below with mean age of 37.4 years, majority (80%) of the vegetable farmers were female while 50% were married. Majority (55%) had secondary education with mean years spent in school of 14 years, 50% of the vegetable farmers had between 1-5 years experiences in vegetable farming with mean farming experience of 8years, 55.56% cultivated between 0.1-0.5 hectares of land with mean farm size of 0.55 hectares. Majority (60%) had between 1-5 contacts with the extension agents, 90% had no access to credit while 70% of the vegetable farmers were members of cooperative organization. The level of access to improved vegetable seeds in the study showed that 70% of the vegetable farmers had no access to improved vegetable seeds. The coefficient of education, access to credit, farm size, household size, income and access to improved vegetable seeds were significant and statistically influenced the poverty status of the vegetable farmers in the study area. The result of the effects of access to improved vegetable seeds on income of vegetable farmers showed that the coefficient of marketing experience, household size, education, credit amount, farm size and access to improved vegetable seeds were significant and statistically influen