Impact of Farmers Associations on Income Diversification among Smallholder Crop Farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of farmers associations on income diversification among smallholder crop farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Through a comprehensive survey and analysis of primary data collected from smallholder crop farmers consisting of 150 randomly selected members of Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) and 150 non-members taken from 3 purposively selected Local Government Areas (Ogbia, Sagbama and Yenagoa), Z–test and ordinary least squares (OLS) was used for the analysis. The study revealed mean total income for members as N 375,280, with a standard error of N 51,491.62 and a standard deviation of N 6,304.41. The mean total income for non-members is N 362,160, with a standard error of N 35,725.1 and a standard deviation of N 437,541.4. The regression results indicated age, farm size and education as positively impacting income, while farming experience, gender, association membership, credit access and credit through association all adversely affected income. The recommendations ensuing from the study includes; non members should be encouraged to join association and that policymakers and stakeholders should prioritize the strengthening of farmers associations and the provision of necessary support to maximize their impact on income diversification initiatives.