Factors influencing output commercialisation among small scale farmers in Nigeria

Abstract

This study presented evidence-based analysis of the degree of commercialisation among small scale maize
producing households in Nigeria as well as factors that determine their levels of output commercialisation
using the National Bureau of Statistics Generalise Household Survey wave 2 and 3 panel data. Analysis
involved computation of the household crop commercialisation index (HCCI) and Tobit regression of the
determinants of output commercialisation. The results are quite revealing and brought to the fore a number
of significant findings on output commercialisation among small scale farmers in Nigeria. One of such
critical findings is the challenge faced by women (in terms of ownership and control) as plot management
and control as well as decision over earnings from crop sales was dominated by male spouse. Also, while
increased output is necessary for improved commercialisation, finding suggests that this was only achieved
through extensification while storage constituted critical challenge. Also, the study underscores the
significance of output price in driving output commercialisation, storage for the future sale only increased
marginally due to limited capacity of the households to store for long period. This study, therefore,
recommends gender inclusive agricultural commercialisation policy and the development of market
infrastructure (storage and transportation).