Benue State University, Makurdi

CROP-AGRIBUSINESS: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS AMONG TIV SMALL SCALE FARMERS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

NDA, Guda Frederick
Benue State University,
Makurdi

OBANDE, Elizabeth N. Obimbua
Federal University, Gusau,
Zamfara

Abstract

Agriculture has played significant role in Nigeria such as revenue and income generation, job creation, raw materials and food nutrition. In spite of government efforts to boost productivity and income of farmers, grassroots farming has remained subsistent. Thus, the Tiv people who are the majority in Benue state are subsistent farmers because the state has an estimated 75%population engaged in rain-fed subsistence agriculture driven by low incomes. This evoked the desire for commercial farming. It is against this background that this paperexamined crop-agribusiness in Tivlandwith specific focus on challenges and prospects and the way forward. The study was guided by Rostow's theory of stages of economic development and considered its proposition in respect of peculiarities of agricultural societies. Utilizing secondary data, the study revealed challenges faced by farmers to include high level of illiteracy, insufficient financial support, poor access to farm inputs and markets; patriarchal and land tenure systems, poor storage facilities, herdsmen invasion, jealousy and witchcraft practices. Prospects identified include increased farmers' income, input supply, establishment of processing industries, improved infrastructural facilities, and production of farm machinery and equipment. The paper concluded that although farming is the mainstay of the Tiv economy, crop production as practiced was a mere extension of the traditional mode of subsistent farming which did not guarantee secured income and food security. The study recommended education of farmers, improved market access and information,storage facilities, better farm inputs, credit facilities; farmers' sensitization, cultural re-orientation and improved government policy among others.

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