Analysis of Farm Labour Supply among Cucumber Farmers in Ikot Ekpene Agricultural Zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed farm labour supply among 90 cucumber farmers that were randomly selected using a multistage sampling in Ikot Ekpene Agricultural Zone, AKS, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of cucumber farmers in the study area; examine the amount of labour utilized for different cucumber production operation; estimate the determinants of cucumber productivity and examine constraints to cucumber production in the study area. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using means, frequencies, standard deviation, multiple regression analysis and the Likert Scale Rating technique. Result revealed a mean farming experience, age, household size and farm size of 5 years, 4 years, 5 persons and 0.5 hectare and 5 persons respectively. Majority (62.21) of respondent were female, married (71.1%), educated (87.3%), and participation in off farm activities (83.3%). Findings showed that while men participated more in land clearing (81.1%) and land preparation (76.6%) women were actively involved in weeding (79.2%) and harvesting (45.1%). Children on their part participated more on planting (44%) and fertilizer application/pesticide (47.4%), respectively. Results further showed that the major determinants of labour were farm size (p>.0.01), household size (p>0.05), education (p>0.05), farming experience (p>0.01) and quality of manure/fertilizer (p>0.01). Also, the major constraints to cucumber production were scarcity of seed and agro chemicals, lack of storage facilities, high perishability of product, pest and disease infestation, low prices of product, high cost of labour, poor labour supply, poor access to credit, thefts of product, and low yield, respectively. It is recommended that prices of input should be subsidized, extension agents should be deployed to the area and that effort should be made to discharge the high off farm participation among cucumber farmers in the study area.