ANALYSIS OF DETERMINANTS OF FARM SIZE PRODUCTIVITY AMONG SMALL-HOLDER TOBACCO FARMERS IN NIGERIA USING OYO STATE AS CASE STUDY

This study focused on analysis of determinants of farm size productivity among small-holder tobacco farmers in Oyo state. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and the determinants of farm size productivity among small-holder tobacco farmers. 240 tobacco farmers were randomly selected from the study area. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and interview schedule was employed to elicit information from the respondents. Information sought bordered on the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents and input used. Data collected was analyzed using log-linear regression model and descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that few (31.97%) of the respondents were between 20 and 29 years of age, majority(67.9%) were part time farmers, majority(69.43%) of the respondents were married, majority (57.3%) of the respondents had an household size between 6 and 10, majority (62.6%) of the respondents use hired as it increases productivity. Findings further revealed that farm size was negative and significant at 1% and productivity of tobacco increases with hired labour which is positively correlated with productivity at 1% level of probability. The coefficient of mode of occupation was positively correlated to productivity at 5%. It signifies that full time farmers are more productive than part time farmers.The study concluded that there is an inverse relationship between farm size and productivity. The study recommended that,youths should be further encouraged to practice agriculture (Tobacco farming) so as to bridge the encroaching generation gap in Agricultural tobacco farming.