Determinant of crop diversification among arable crop farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Crop diversification is a key risk mitigation and income stabilisation strategy for smallholder farmers, yet its adoption remains a concern among farmers in Kwara State. This study examines the determinants of crop diversification among arable crop farmers in Kwara State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 208 respondents from the study area. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and interviews and was analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and multinomial logistic regression. Findings revealed that the farmers were predominantly males with an average age of 44 years. Most of the farmers had secondary education and operated their farms with an average of 6.5 ha of land. Most (46.6%) of the farmers diversified into 4 – 7 crop types, majorly (67.8%) combining cereals, legumes, and tubers to manage risk. Results of multiple regression showed that diversification levels were influenced by age (p=0.022), years in school (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.037), farming experience (p=0.051), farm size (p=0.024), irrigation access (p=0.000), farm training (p=0.013), and market distance (p=0.002). Multinomial regression indicated that the choice of diversification into cereals and legumes was influenced by marital status (p=0.030), land tenure (p=0.034), and number of crops grown (p=0.017), while the choice to diversify into cereals and tubers was influenced by farm income (p=0.081), farming experience (p=0.099), access to extension agents (p=0.005), access to irrigation facilities (p=0.066), and number of crops grown (p=0.000). The study recommends strengthening access to credit, irrigation, and extension services for commercial-oriented diversification and training to promote profitable cropping systems among smallholder farmers.