Authors : Y.A. Awoyinka, J.A. Akinwumi, V.O. Okoruwa and O.A. Oni
Abstract: Efficiency in food crop production is a topical issue in food security programme of Nigerian government. However, past policies directed for increased food crop production efficiency have not been effective because of neglect of Livelihood Strategy (LS) and attributes of Land Management Practices (LMP) used by farmers in food crop production policy analysis. The effect of LS and LMP on crop production efficiency was investigated. Multistage random sampling was used to collect primary data from 400 farmers in South West Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed with Translog stochastic model. The four LS identified were staple crops/off-farm income (LS1 = 30.0%); staple crops/wages and salary (LS2 = 22.5%); LS1/vegetable/ fruits/livestock production (LS3 = 27.5%); LS3/Tree Crops (LS4 = 20.0%). Farmers adopted multiple LMPs for crop production. Agronomic Practices (AP = 80.0%) was preferred to others including Soil Management Practices (SMP = 65.0%), Conservation Practices (CP = 60.0%), Structural and Mechanical Erosion Control Practices (SMECP = 34.0%). The mean Technical Efficiency (TE) was 0.52 for the farmers and TE increased with LS3 (p<0.01) and LS4 (p<0.1). The level of LMP used by farmers, joint effects of LMP and physical inputs (except for fertilizer) and LMP and LS (except for LS4) was unsustainable with respect to crop output and TE (p<0.05). The most beneficial LS that ensured sustainable LMP for food crop production efficiency among farming households is LS4. The LS4 significantly improved TE in South-West Nigeria.
Y.A. Awoyinka, J.A. Akinwumi, V.O. Okoruwa and O.A. Oni, 2009. Effects of Livelihood Strategies and Sustainable Land Management Practices on Food Crop Production Efficiency in South-West Nigeria. Agricultural Journal, 4: 135-143.