Determinants of Poverty Status of Cassava-based Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

The study assessed the determinants of Poverty Status of Cassava based farmers in Imo State, specifically; it examined the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers and assessed determinants of poverty status among cassava-based farmers in Imo state. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting sixty (60) cassava-based farmers in the three agricultural zones in the area. Data used for the study were obtained using structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) and ordered probit model. The result showed that the mean age was 50 years, 67% of the respondents were women, 47% of the respondents attended secondary education, they have 25 years mean farming experience, the mean household size was 6 persons, 88% of the farmers are married, and they have mean farm size of 1.03 hectare. The result of Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) analysis showed that the estimate of the poverty profile of cassava-based farmers in the study area was N62, 476.67k, the poverty incidence was 0.25, and the poverty depth and severity were 0.0659 and 0.0362 respectively. This implied that 6.59% of the total expenditure is required to close the poverty gap while in extreme cases additional 3.62% was required to cross the poverty line. The ordered probit analysis showed that education, household size, farm income and extension contact were statistically significant at 1% and 5% probability levels, respectively. Findings revealed that education, household size, farm income and extension contact were the significant determinants of farmers poverty status.