Determinants of farm household welfare in plateau state Nigeria

This study analyzed the incidence and severity of poverty among farm households in Plateau state, Nigeria. Secondary data obtained from Harmonized Nigeria Living Standard Survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2009/2010 was used. Descriptive statistics was employed to describe the socioeconomic attributes and problems facing the farm households in the study area. Forster, Greer and Thorbecke poverty indices were used to decompose poverty while multiple regressions were used to estimate the socioeconomic determinants of household welfare in the study area. The poverty incidence for households affected by the incessant conflict in the state was 91% while those not affected was 56%. Smaller sized households have lower incidence of poverty while larger households have higher incidence of poverty. Result also showed that households whose per capita expenditure fell between ₦23372- ₦99900.40, ₦100564.10 - ₦198399.60, ₦201034.20- ₦249588.60 and ₦250536- ₦1308007 had poverty incidence of 89%, 70%, 3.23% and 2.05%, respectively. The result showed that educational level of household head, educational level of spouse and household size had a positive and significant relationship on the welfare of the household. The study recommends that all efforts for poverty alleviation should also be geared towards empowerment.