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 conducted a comparative analysis of the poverty status among cooperative and non-cooperative cassava farming households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 360 respondents, and primary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Foster Greer Thorbecke Model, Logit regression, and Z-tests. Both groups were dominated by female farming households, with average ages around 46 years and 45 years, predominantly married, with primary education, and household sizes of 4-8 persons. However, cooperative farming households realized significantly higher average incomes (₦122,439.30) and larger farm sizes (2.3 hectares) compared to non-cooperators who had ₦116,526.00 and 1.7 hectares, respectively. The result on poverty status showed that 93.89% of cooperative farming households were non-poor while 68.89% of non-cooperative farming households were non-poor. Cooperative farming households exhibited a considerably lower poverty headcount ratio (9.09%) while non-cooperative farming households had poverty headcount ratio of 31.79% and poverty severity index, indicating less widespread and severe poverty. Marital status and farming experience influenced poverty for cooperative farming households, while age and farm size were major determinants for non- cooperative farming households. The study concludes that cooperative membership significantly improves food security and reduces poverty among cassava farming households. It is recommended that Cassava farming households should seek to join existing cooperatives or form new ones to benefit from collective bargaining, shared resources, and improved market access. Non-cooperative farming households should prioritize strategies to increase their farm size, as this was a major factor in reducing poverty.