AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
Abstract
This study analyzed the socio- economic factors influencing child farm labour preference among farmers
in Ikot Ekpene Agricultural Zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique
was employed in selecting the respondents. Data were collected with the aid of well-structured
questionnaires to elicit information from Ninety one (91) respondents and analyzed using both descriptive
and inferential statistics. Result showed that majority (52.75%) of the respondents were female, married
(83%) with a mean household size of 6 persons and a mean age of 49.58years. Majority (97%) had at
least one year of formal schooling. The mean farm size was 1.27 ha, while the average years of farming
experience was 11.26 years. Also, there was a high level of children involvement in farm activities.
Overall, the results of the multinomial logit confirms the importance of socio-economic characteristics
such as age of the farmers and farming experience in positively influencing child labour preference
decisions, while gender, membership of social organizations and educational status had negative and
significant influence on child farm labour preference decisions. It is recommended that for effective
policy formulation to reduce child farm labour in Akwa Ibom State, all these important variables must be
taken into consideration. In addition, loan with very low interest rate should be given to farmers to
improve their welfare.