ISSN 2329-9797
International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 203-208, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of rural cassava farmers’ participation in the Nigeria agricultural insurance scheme in Imo State, Nigeria
Kelechi Ajunwa1, Uzoma Osuji2 and James Ikedi Njoku3
1Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
3Department of Agricultural Management and Extension Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 09 October, 2015
Abstract
The importance of insurance in mitigating food insecurity necessitated this study that analyzed rural cassava farmers’ participation in the Nigeria agricultural insurance scheme in Imo State, Nigeria. The study focused on the socio-economic differentials of participants and non participant; reasons for participation and determinants of participation. Data collected from 90 sampled cassava farmers using structured questionnaire and interview schedule were analyzed with the aid of percentage count, frequency tables, z-test and logit regression model at 0.05 levels of significance. The result shows socio-economic differentials in the age, education, farming experience, social organization membership, status of participants and non participants in the scheme. The reasons cited for participation included the acquisition of loan and continuation of business even after suffering losses. While the reasons for non – participation included inadequate knowledge of the scheme and cost of insurance, the socio-economic and farm enterprise characteristics of age, education, marital status, farming status, farming experience, farm size and credit opportunity, determines the farmers that participated in the scheme. It was recommended that extension education campaign be mounted for enlightenment of the scheme and consideration should be given to the farmers socio-economic and farm enterprise characteristics in designing intervention strategies and advocacy on the scheme.
Key words: Cassava, Nigeria agricultural insurance scheme, socio–economic differentials, farmers, participants and non participants.