Arable Crop Farmers Research Articles

Trade-Off between Land Use Pattern and Technical Efficiency Performance: Evidence from Arable Crop Farming in Tunisia

Cereal, oilseed, and protein (COP) production is an important sector contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tunisia. COP farms often diversify their production patterns to stabilize their income sources and spread production risk across crops. However, crop diversity may entail an inefficient use and management of resources to achieve the desired output. In addition, the COP sector still shows a low productivity level, depending on weather conditions in Tunisia. In this context, this study aimed to assess the relationship between the land use pattern and efficiency performance of farms. We used data envelopment analysis (DEA) in the presence of uncertainty based on state-contingent techniques. This approach has not previously been used to examine the links between crop pattern and efficiency. We found that specialized COP farms, on average, exhibited higher technical efficiency levels than those adopted mix cropping systems (83% and 60%, respectively), indicating an important margin to reduce inefficiency. Nevertheless, both diversified and specialized farms could reduce their inefficiency levels through more rational input use to attain the current level of production. Some practical implications were derived to target policy interventions to enhance agricultural productivity and resource use efficiency.

GENDER ANALYSIS OF RURAL SMALL-SCALE ARABLE CROP FARMING IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The study was conducted on Gender analysis of rural small- scale arable crop farming in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling techniques was used to select 150 respondents for the study. Data was collected through the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results showed that in age distribution of respondents according to gender, about 70% of the male respondents and 60% of the female were less than 35 years of age with only 2.67% and 4.00% respectively being above 55 years. 80% of male and 76% of female were married while 92% of male had formal education as compared to 86.7% for female. Also, 50.66% of male farmers had large families of seven and above while 50.67% of their female counterpart had family size of seven and above. About 16% of the male farmers accessed loan from banks as against 6.7% of the female folks. Male farmers dominated in yam production with over 84% as against the female group that had only 20% of the females involved. Females were into cassava production (60%) as against their male counterpart with 33.3%. The econometric analysis for determinants of gender productivity among small holder farmers showed that coefficients for farm size and age were negative and significant at 5% level for the male and 1% for the female. The coefficients for capital inputs, planting materials, labour and education were positive as expected and significant at 5% level for the male farmers and 1% level for the female farmers. Inadequate credit was the most important constraints to small- scale arable crop farming with 80%. Major constraints also include inadequate extension services (70%). It was recommended that extension agents should sensitize and involve more rural small-scale arable crop female farmers in their contact and training.

Does CAP greening affect farms’ economic and environmental performances? A regression discontinuity design analysis

Abstract The Common Agricultural Policy reform 2013–2020 has conditioned 30 per cent of the direct payments to greening requirements. Our study investigates whether one of these requirements, the ecological focus area (EFA) obligation, has led to environmental improvements while preserving farms’ economic sustainability. We apply a regression discontinuity design approach on a sample of Italian arable crop farms. Our results suggest that the EFA requirement has no significant effects on farms’ application of fertilisers, pesticide expenditure, crop diversification or economic performance. However, farmers reacted to the EFA requirement by changing their crop mix, mostly by increasing their share of leguminous crops.

Economic implications of climate change effects and awareness level among arable crops farmers in south-south, Nigeria

The foremost aim of the survey is to determine the economic implication of climatic effects and awareness level among respondents. Multi-stage procedure of sampling was adopted in assortment of the study sample. Studied data were attained with the aid of designed questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics. Respondent were matured with average age of 49 years with low educational level of primary school who were mostly married female gender. The study observed moderate family size of 9 persons having 19 years farming experience undergoing full-time arable crop farming and respondents mostly grown cassava, cocoyam, yam and maize. Climate agent affected respondents negatively leading to loss of arable crops output and annual income. Respondents were aware of climatic factors but attributed it to natural disaster and punishment from their gods. Climate change awareness level was low as most respondents does not believe that climate change exist. This is of serious concern to climate change scholars in bridging the awareness gap level in our society especially in the rural areas and Government and NGOs should provide short term relief and credits to respondents. It further recommends awareness of climate change campaign in the rural communities.

Effectiveness of use of information and communication technologies (icts) by extension agents and arable crop farmers in ido loal government area, oyo state, nigeria

The study was undertaken to ascertain effectiveness of use of ICTs by extension agents and arable crop farmers in Ido local government area Oyo State. Multiple stage sampling procedure was used to select 105 respondents for the study. Data were collected from the respondents through the use of structured questionnaire.. Descriptive statistics such as; mean, frequency table, and percentage were used to analysed data while inferential statistical tools such as Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment correlation (PPMC) were used to tested the hypotheses of the study. The result of the study showed that majority of the respondents were in the age bracket of 31-40 years, which could be categorized as adults, and more of them were males, while majority of them were married. Result revealed the level of ICTs used by extension agents for arable crop farmers were radio (97.1%), mobile phone (92.4%) and internet (81.9%).The result further shows major constraints militating the effectiveness of use of ICTs were network problem in the study area. There is no significant relationship between constraint and level of ICTs used by the arable crops farmer in the study area. It is therefore recommended that government should ensure that farmers should have access to and use ICTs by putting policies in place to ensure all rural area have access to ICTs tools ,also awareness on the use of ICTs should be intensify among arable crop farmers.

Impacts of COVID-19 on the Food Supply Chain for Arable Crops in Latvia

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented stress to food supply chains, pointing to weaknesses in the labour, processing, transport and logistics spheres, as well as significant changes in demand. Food supply chains have shown considerable resilience in the face of such stress. Monitoring of the food sector during the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that the effects of COVID-19 on food supply, demand and access are interlinked processes and have a complex impact on food systems. In addition, high-value food supply chains in developed countries are even more complex, so countries need to respond quickly to restore them and also develop mechanisms that balance business and public interests and protect farmers and food business workers during future potential pandemic crises. The research aims to identify the main demand and supply side factors that affect the resilience of local and global food supply chains during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as assess the resilience of the supply chain for arable crops during the COVID-19 crisis in Latvia, identifying the main risk factors. The research found that arable crop farmers were relatively less affected by the COVID-19 crisis than other agricultural employees. The impact of the crisis was larger on the crop processing industry than on the other industries, and the main risk factors related to changes in demand and the industry’s dependence on imported raw materials and the successful operation of export markets. Based on an in-depth risk analysis, the research developed recommendations for policy makers and actors in the agri-food chain that would improve the resilience of local (domestic) participants of the arable crop food supply chain in Latvia.

Assessment of Effects of Land Degradation on Productivity of Arable Crop Farmers in Selected Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

The study assessed the farmers’ level of awareness of land degradation (LD), determinant of LD, effect of LD on total factor productivity and, the mitigating measures adopted against LD. The study employed cross-sectional research design. Primary data were retrieved from 180 arable crop farmers while descriptive statistics were employed to assess the level of awareness and mitigating measures. Land degradation indices, total factor productivity and fractional and ordinary least square regression techniques were modelled to analyse the determinants and effects of LD on their productivity, respectively. The results showed that the level of awareness of LD problem was high among the farmers. The major determinants of land degradation in the area included bush burning, cropping system, system of land usage, soil structure, tillage and topography. In addition, the severity scale of bush burning was the lowest while that of topography was the highest. Moreover, LD, age of farmers, amount of credit accessed, agro-chemicals and labour-use tend to reduce the productivity of the farmers in the area. The arable crop farmers mitigated the effect of LD in the area mostly through terracing and avoidance of bush burning. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the government of Nigeria should focus on policies that can enhance sustainable land management and hence, increase productivity of the farmers in the area.

Agricultural Bank Credit Intervention And The Application of Big Push Theory to Beneficiaries:Evidence From Nigeria

Up till now there is shortage of empirical evidence on volume of loan received that generates big push for the farmers and the bank to curtail abuse of fund and its determinants. The purpose of this study is to examine the agricultural bank credit intervention and the application of big push theory among beneficiaries in Nigeria so as to make advocacy for a bailout intervention. A total of 295 beneficiaries were randomly selected. A questionnaire was developed, and data collection was undertaken by means of a multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, regression model and t-test analysis were used to analyze the data. The mean age of beneficiaries was 46 years old. The respondents had an average household size of 6 persons with 79.3% of the beneficiaries being literate with one form of formal education or the other. About 65.4% of the beneficiaries did not subscribe to membership of farmers groups. The beneficiaries had 13 years’ experience in arable crop farming. The average farm size was 1.57 ha. This tells us that the beneficiaries were small scale farmers. The result reveals that the region of big push was between $244.34-$977.37 The variables that had positive and substantial relationship with big push in the model were age of respondent, years spent in farming, education, farm size, cooperative membership, household size, collateral requirement and marital status. The outcome of the t-test indicated that there was much impact after benefiting from agricultural bank credit loan scheme in the area. The foremost constraints were collateral requirement and high interest rate. Loan acquisition procedure by agricultural bank credit should be made easier as well as the threshold of farmers financial management ability should be considered during disbursement of loan to farmers for effective utilization.

A Goal Programming Approach to Multi-Objective Farm Planning Among Small-Scale Arable Crop Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria

Summary The purpose of this study was to develop prototype farm plans according to the multi-objective production goals of small-scale arable crop producers in Kogi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 137 farm households in different local government areas (LGAs). A structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule was used to collect primary data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics and linear goal programming were used for data analysis. The results obtained indicate that the optimal plan of generating an income of ₦242,076.20 requires 0.368 ha of melons, 0.044 ha of yam/maize mixture and 0.259 ha of sorghum/groundnuts. The optimal net profit was 44.05% higher than that achieved by implementing the existing plan. To meet family food requirements, the solution plan prescribed devoting 0.048 ha to cassava, 0.211 ha to sorghum, 0.368 ha to melons, 0.074ha to Bambara nuts, and 1.065 ha to sorghum/groundnuts to generate an income of ₦158,475.00. To minimize paid labour and generate an income of ₦168,325.50, the plan prescribed devoting 0.195 ha to rice, 0.502 ha to melons and 0.246 ha to Bambara nuts. Out of the three basic farm household objectives considered, meeting family food requirements and limiting labour expenditure were overachieved, whereas the objective of maximizing farm income was underachieved. A great deal of the existing staple food plan was found consistent with the prescribed optimal plan, except in the case of existing cassava and Bambara nut production which was falling short of the optimal production prescribed. The maize/groundnut production had the lowest shadow prices. However, land, labour, capital, agrochemicals, fertilizers and seeds constituted the limiting resources in the plan. It was found that these resources were not optimally allocated in the existing plan for arable crop activities. Therefore, the respondents were advised to utilize their resources as prescribed in the optimum plan, supported by farm advisory services in selecting good crop mixtures.

Farmers-Herdsmen conflicts: Effect of Resilience Strategy on Arable crop Productivity in the Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State

Over the years, contests over land for crop production and pasture for animals among crop farmers and herders have been a subject of concern. The study therefore examine the effect of resilience on arable crop productivity after farmers-herdsmen conflicts in the Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 270 arable crop farmers, which is about 29.4% of the 919 registered arable crop farmers for the study, using a structured questionnaire to obtain primary data. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics like tables, percentages and inferential statistics such as ordinary least square regression to analyse the effect of resilience strategy to shocks of conflict anticipation cost and arable crop productivity. All analyses were tested at a 5% level of significance. The result of the OLS regression analysis model for the effect of resilience techniques on arable crop productivity indicated that years spent in school (p = 0.97), size of farm (p = 0.006), hired labour after conflict (p = 0.000), transformative index (p = 0.000), absorptive index (p = 0.008) and adaptive index (p = 0.008) were significantly related to arable crop productivity. The transformative, absorptive, and adaptive resilience strategies significantly influenced arable crop productivity after farmers-herdsmen conflicts in the study area. The study concluded that adhere to the rule and regulations of the community serve as a means of preventing conflicts between farmers and herders, Further increasing farm size requires more commitment from the farmer and thus becomes more attached to the farm materially, physically and emotionally. The study recommends that the resilience strategies employed by the respondents should be investigated and adopted by appropriate authorities in order to mitigate the regular conflicts between farmers and herders in Nigeria.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADOPTION STRATEGIES BY ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN ETHIOPE EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA: A MULTIVARIATE PROBIT APPROACH

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The seasonality of most agricultural activities and restricted utilization of inputs in Africa, make it particularly helpless against weather or climate related difficulties across the different phases of the production cycle. <strong>Objective:</strong> This study focused on climate change adoption strategies by arable crop farmers in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. <strong>Methodology:</strong> A total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were used for the study. Data analysis was achieved using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit (MVP) model. <strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed that the average age of the arable crop farmers was 40 years. An average income of ₦28,000 per month was earned by the arable crop farmers. The result on the various climate change adaptation strategies reveals that income diversification (85.0%) was the most utilized adaptation strategy. The result from the multivariate probit regression analysis revealed that age, farm income and extension visits have a significant impact on choice of climate change adaptation method. <strong>Implication:</strong> Households with diversified streams of income have greater chances of adopting climate change adaptation strategies because of their ability to afford them. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>An increase in age, farm income and extension visits have a significant impact on choice of climate change adaptation methods in the study area. It is therefore recommended that farmers in the study area need to expand their source of income in order to form backup savings to invest on adaptation infrastructure.</p>

Technologies Needs of Arable Crop Farmers of Oyo and Ekiti States of South-Western, Nigeria

In ensuring food production in the face of food insecurity, appropriate production technologies are inevitable. This study therefore investigated the technologies needed by arable crop farmers of Oyo and Ekiti States in South-western Nigeria. The study employed multistage sampling techniques to select 235 respondents. Quantitative data for study was collected using structured interview schedule while qualitative data was collected during Focus Group Discussion. Quantitative data was analysed with frequency distributions, percentages, mean and ranking as descriptive statistical tools, while Ordered probit regression and T-test inferential tools were used to draw inferences between the variables. The information from quantitative data was used to explain the findings. Results of the analysis revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 45.56 years, both male (76.2%) and female (23.8%) farmers were sampled with different educational background, while 15.7% had no formal education and with 21.44 mean years of farming experience. Majority (66.8%) engages in farming as primary occupation with maize (99.1%), cassava (91.5%), and leafy vegetables (40.4%) as the main arable crop cultivated in the area. Agronomic best practices (WMS = 1.86) and inputs technologies (WMS = 2.07) were ranked first and second on the level of needs of the identified arable crop production technologies, Finance (WMS = 1.88) and inadequate farmland (WMS = 1.81) were ranked as highest in the challenges to the use of arable crop production technologies among the farmers. Ordered probit analysis result established that age (z = 4.41***), sex (z = 1.92**), years of farming experience (z = -2.45**), extension contact (z = -1.72*), and farm size (z = 2.09**) exhibited significant relationship with the level of need of different identified arable crop production technologies among the arable crop farmers in the study area. The study therefore, recommends the need to encourage arable crop production by ensuring appropriate application of different arable crop technologies coupled with adequate training of rural farmers through extension service; the technology providers should align the technologies with the arable crop farmers’ need as it would encourage efficient utilization of such technologies among different users.

Evaluation of Factors Driving Post-Harvest Losses among Arable Crop Farmers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

The development of crop coefficients (KC), the ratio of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) to reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is important for estimating irrigation water requirements in relation to specific crop phenological development. This research was conducted to determine growth-stage-specific Kc and crop water use for onion at Werer Agricultural Research Center, Middle Awash Valley Ethiopia during the main season (July–October) and during cool cropping seasons (March–June) from 2012-2015. Three non weighing lysimeters of 1.6 m x 1.6 m in surface area and 2 m deep were used to measure crop water use and local weather data were used to determine the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). The results showed that the obtained Kc values for main cropping season planted onion during initial, crop development, mid season and late-season stages were 0.57, 0.78, 1.03 and 0.77 respectively. Meanwhile, the corresponding Kc values for cool cropping season planted onion were 0.49, 0.90, 1.01, and 0.79 in the respective growth stages. The seasonal crop evapotranspiration was 525.83mm and 465.57mm during main and cool cropping season respectively. The measured Kc values were significantly different from the FAO-56 reported values. Therefore, local calibration of crop coefficients is an essential for efficient irrigation water management and precise water applications. Keywords: onion, crop coefficient, growth stages, water balance, evapotranspiration, lysimeter DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-6-01 Publication date: March 31 st 2021

FARM PRODUCTION RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND ALLOCATION EFFICIENCY AMONG ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN EZZA NORTH L.G.A., EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

The majority of the farmers (73.3%) sourced land through lease/purchase, and capital resources through personal savings (78.3%). The ratios of marginal value product (MVP) to marginal factor cost (MFC) show that no input was efficiently allocated by the arable crop farmers. Results on the effects of the amount of farm resources mobilized and used on arable crop productivity show a positive significant relationship with some variables at 1% level. Also, lack of finance, lack of land, poor road network etc were constraints on farm resources mobilization and allocation efficiency among arable crops farmers. Thus, the study concluded that the amount of farm production resources mobilized was little and farmers were ignorant of proper use. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector should organize regular workshops/seminars to educate arable crop farmers on the effective and efficient use of resources to achieve the best output.

SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AMONG ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Soil fertility management techniques (SFMT) among arable crop farmers in southwest, Nigeria was examined. Multiphase techniques were employed in selecting three hundred and fifty (350) arable crop farmers. Data were harvested using a structured interview schedule and analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Person-Product-Moment-Correlation (PPMC). Results indicated that the farmers were majorly married males, mostly aged 50 years using an average of 2.3 ha, cropping mainly cassava (90.0%), maize (82.6%), and yam (70.9%). The respondents used cultural methods, synthetic fertilizers, and organic manure in that order as SFMT. The level of utilization of SFMT was predominantly cultural methods of ridging across the slope with a weighted mean score (WMS) of 2.72, mulching (WMS=2.60), and rotational cropping (WMS=2.26); synthetic fertilizers: NPK (WMS=1.99) and urea (WMS=1.96); organic manure: poultry manure (WMS=0.95) and animal dung (WMS=0.67). PPMC analysis showed that age (r=0.22*) and farm size (r=0.16*) were significantly related to the utilization of SFMT. In conclusion, the respondents were small-scale farmers who utilized majorly cultural methods of SFMT and were mainly influenced by crop type as a function of age and farm size.

Impact of rural transportation networks on farmers’ income in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract This study examined how the nature of rural transportation networks affects the income of local farmers. The study involved arable crop farmers in the Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. A structured interview was used to gather information from a total of 120 farmers in rural communities across the local government using a two-stage random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that farmers’ poor nature of transportation networks has a negative impact on their income. Gender (χ 2 = 6.472) and marital status (χ 2 = 9.745) positively influenced income generated by farmers at p < 0.05. Additionally, there was a moderate and significant correlation between transportation systems used (r = 0.705, p < 0.05), the perceived impact of rural transport (r = 0.267, p < 0.05), and the farmers’ income on agricultural activities. The results have shown that the serious constraints faced by the farmers are high cost of transportation which has a great influence on their generated income. The study allows to conclude that the nature of transportation networks available in the communities under study has a significant impact on the level of income to be realised by farmers. The construction, development, and provision of more rural transport networks would not only boost the standard of living and reduce transport costs of the rural poor but could also be a solution for the prolonged deplorable and worsening situation of rural roads in the country.

Agriculture as A Business: An Analysis of Arable Crop Farming Practices in Edo State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the practices of selected arable crop farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it determined their participation in arable crops cultivation practices and identified the types of records kept with a view to determining their business orientation. A two stage sampling procedure, comprising of purposive and snowball was used to select 196 respondents with access to a minimum of 2 hectares of farmland but only 179 respondents were used for the analysis. Data were collected through the use of interviews and analyzed with logistic regression model. Results showed that farmers were averagely aged with a mean of 37.2 years. The average farming experience was 15.8 years. Farmers engaged in arable crop production practices such as land preparations, planting, weeding, and fertilizer application among others. However, only the cost of hired labour records was kept while cost of other input resources was not accurately documented. Farm size (wald = 3.81), access to labour (wald = 2.52) and access to credit (wald = 5.19) determined their level of participation in arable crop production. The study concludes that farmers practice agriculture as an art and not as a business. This is because business involves adequate records keeping in order to ascertaining profitability.

Effect of Ondo State Agricultural Inputs Supply Agency on profitability of crop farmers in Owo Lga, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study assessed the effect of Ondo State Agricultural Inputs Supply Agency (OSAISA) on the profitability of crop farmers in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of arable crop farmers, compared the profitability of OSAISA patronizing food crop farmers (PF) and non-patronizing food crop farmers (NPF) and identified the various constraints encountered by patronizing farmers in dealing with OSAISA. One hundred and twenty food crop farmers random sampling procedure. Information was obtained from the respondents using a well-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with both descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. Findings revealed that 88.3% and 86.7% of the PF and NPF, respectively were males. About 50.0% of PF and 56.7% of NPF were between 41 and 50 years of age. The net farm income of the PF was greater than the NPF and benefit cost ratio for PF was more sustainable and viable than that of NPF. The major constraint faced by the OSAISA’ PF was inadequate capital to purchase the desired inputs. Based on the results, the study concludes that OSAISA contributes tremendously to the profitability of patronizing farmers in the study area. It is, therefore, recommended that farmers should be given easy access to acquire loan to meet their input demand and farming business in general; including adequate and timely supply of inputs for effective and efficient productivity.

Effect of buffer strips on pesticide risks in freshwaters

Freshwaters and particularly small water bodies are constantly threatened by the use of pesticides in agriculture. These risks have to be mitigated and reduced according to the European Sustainable Use Directive. The creation of vegetated buffer strips is one measure to effectively mitigate the pesticide risk to freshwaters in agricultural landscapes. This study quantifies the buffer strip effects on pesticide risk posed by arable crop farming for German freshwaters using the pesticide risk indicator model SYNOPS. A constant but only slight turnover towards pesticides with lower water body distance requirements over time was observed when no buffer strips were present. However, the presence of buffer strips contributed to a much higher extent to pesticide risk reduction to freshwaters. The chronic risk to freshwaters was reduced by 29% (simulating 5 m buffer strips) and by 47% (simulating 10 m buffer strips). The effect of risk mitigation by buffer strips varied between crop type and pesticide type. Highest effects of buffer strips were achieved for herbicides and in oilseed rape. Overall, the results show that the creation of buffer strips is a crucial step to effectively mitigate pesticide risk to freshwaters in agricultural landscapes.

Profitability of various cropping patterns among arable crop farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Descriptive Statistics and Net Farm Income model was used to analyze data collected from 120 Arable Farmers who adopted various cropping patterns in Niger State, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics of arable farmers, profile the cropping patterns adopted, examined the profitability and highlighted the constraints to crop production among arable farmers in the study area. Results obtained from the study show that crop farming in the area is a male dominated. The mean age of farmers was 33years, 98.3% were married, 80.8% had one form of education or the other and 68.4% adopted a three-crop mix pattern in their crop production. Two and three crop mixes enterprise were profitable than sole cropping when gross income per ha was used as an index of profitability. Profitability was higher in single crop enterprise when returns/man day was used as an index but was higher in a two and three crop mix enterprise when net returns per ha was used as a measure of profitability. Bad roads, drought, theft of farm produce, poor extension per farm advisory services and lack of credit facilities respectively were the constraint to crop production. The study concludes that mixed cropping enterprises was more profitable than sole cropping. We recommend the promotion of mixed cropping among arable farmers for increased profitability and income to farm households, that the constraints identified be addressed by all concerned authorities so as to sustain crop production, reduce food insecurity and eradicate hunger and poverty among arable farmers in the area and Nigeria as a whole.