Abstract: The effect of socio-economic factors on risk behaviour of farming households in Kwara state was examined. Data were collected from 192 farming household randomly selected from two out of four agricultural zones in kwara state Nigeria. Data analysis was the use of frequency, percentage and ordinary least square multiple regression model. The results showed that majority of the farming households have larger household size with above 70% having more than 5 people in the families. It was also found out that more than 76% of the respondents cultivating below 1.5 ha of land. Positive relationships were found between the risk coefficient of the household and their access to extension services, Disposable income, amount of capital and membership of cooperative society. However, negative relationships were also found between the risk coefficient of the household and their household size, off farm income, proportion of cropped land, membership of cooperative society and their risk averseness. Hence, it is recommended that programmes and policies for small scale farmers should incorporate their risk behaviour and its relationship with their socio-characteristics.