ASSESSMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF POVERTY STATUS AMONG FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN WUSHISHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

¹Makarau, S.B., ¹Bayei, J. D.  ²La’ah, D. and ²Aluwong J. S.

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the socio-economic determinants of poverty status among farming households in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. Utilizing a multistage sampling technique, data were collected from 160 farming households through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Findings indicate that variables such as 90% of respondents being men, 40% were aged 31–40 years with a mean age of 35.03 years, 75% of respondents were married, 76.2% had attained some form of formal education, 38.1% of respondents having 5–10 members, 73.8% constituted farmers with 28.1% farming experiences between 5 to 10 years, 48.1% cultivated 1 to 4 hectares with a mean farm size of 4.5 hectares, 47.5% utilizing both hired and family labour, 41.2% of respondents earned above ₦50,000 per month with a mean income of ₦49,440.62 and 76.7% reported having credit access to credit and market participation significantly influence poverty status. The study further reveals that 80% of the respondents fall above the poverty line, while 20% remains within poverty line due to disparities in economic resilience. The study concluded that targeted interventions focusing on improving education, credit accessibility and market linkages are critical for poverty reduction. It was recommended that a multi-stakeholder approach involving government agencies, financial institutions and agricultural extension services to implement sustainable policies that enhance farmers’ economic well-being.

Keywords: Poverty status, socio-economic determinants, farming households, rural livelihoods, agricultural development.