FACTORS INFLUENCING LAND FRAGMENTATION AMONG YOUTH RICE (Oraza sativa) FARMERS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study analyzed factors influencing land fragmentation among youth rice farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria. The research employed a multi-stage sampling technique to collect primary data from 216 rice farmers using structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistic was used in data analysis. Among the four functional forms that were estimated, double log form was chosen due to a high R² (70%), with six (6) significant variables and F statistics value is significant at 1%.  The estimated R² shows that the independent variables explain 70% of variations in land fragmentation index is explained by the characteristics of rice farmers and other variables. The result reveals that distance between plots, distance from homestead, household size, plot size, farming experience and extension visit are the significant factors that influences land fragmentation in the study area.   The findings revealed a male dominated sector with (65.1%), 71.6% significant proportion of farmers having secondary education, Majority (66.8 %) of the respondents were married, while 33.2 % were single, 57. 9% had 1-5 years of farming experience, majority (88.2%) of the respondents had no access to credit, most (94.3%) of the respondents cultivated 0.01-0.50 hectare of land. Rice farming was profitable, with a substantial Return on investment per naira of ?2.01.