Iheke, O. R; Echebiri, R. N. and Ngwukaenyi, C. F.
Department of Agricultural Economics
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
iheke.onwuchekwa@mouau.edu.ng; ralphiheke@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
This study analyzed impact of land fragmentation on the input use, yield and production efficiency of arable crop farmers in Ihiala local Government area, Anambra State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 90 respondents for the study. Data collected using well-structured questionnaire were analyzed using means, standard deviation, Simpson’s index, stochastic frontier profit function and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. Result showed that the Simpson index measuring the level of fragmentation was 0.54. The average farm size cultivated by the arable crop farmers was 2.33 ha. The mean cost of labour, seed, cuttings, fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides were N35987.01, N8020.77, N14044.44, N16198.04, N10500.00, and N7400.00 respectively; while the mean capital consumption allowance was N11348.06 and the mean value of output was N249601.2. The significant variables influencing farm profit were farm size (P < 0.001), normalized prices of labour (P < 0.001), planting materials (P < 0.010), and fertilizer (P < 0.001), and capital (P < 0.001). The significant determinants of the economics efficiency of the arable crop farmers were years of education (P < 0.001), household size (P < 0.005), farming experience (P < 0.001), extension contact (P < 0.001), and degree of land fragmentation (P < 0.001). The result showed that the individual economic efficiency indices range from 0.41to1.00 with mean of 0.778. The coefficient of fragmentation had negative and significant effect on output at 5% level of significance, farm size (at 1% level of significance level) and economic efficiency (at 1% level of significance level). For increased productivity and efficiency, farm consolidation programmes was therefore advocated as land fragmentation increases capital costs, labour demand and restrictions on the possibilities of agricultural mechanization.
KEYWORDS: Land, Fragmentation, Input Use, Yield, Production, Efficiency