Small scale farmers' willingness to take agricultural insurance in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State in Nmadu

Abstract

This study examined the attitude and constraints of small scale farmers in Paikoro Local Government Area towards agricultural insurance-taking in the past and their willingness in the future. The data collected from 75 farmers, were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. The findings indicate that about 65% of the respondents had more than 5 years of farming experience, a good development but which has made the respondents to abandon education at secondary level. It was also found that most of the farmers (84%) did not insure their farms with NAIC voluntarily. About 60% of the farmers claim ignorance as the constraints to insurance-taking, a situation which was likely attributable to the low level of education of the respondents. It was also found that the extent of awareness is a very important factor to successful insurance-taking. It is recommended that stakeholder sessions on confidence building on agricultural insurance as well as sensitizing the respondents of the benefits of well-educated farming population be undertaken. It is also recommended that farmers should be merged to 20-30ha for economy of scale. There is also need to establish a continuing education system to assist in transformation from traditional to commercial level, making insurance-taking imperative.

Publication
11th National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists held at New Lecture Theatre, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, 3oth November-3rd December
Insurance-taking economy of scale continuing education system decision-maker commercialisation
Job Nmadu
Professor of Agricultural Economics and Dean, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology

Research interests are economic efficiencies of small scale farming and welfare effects of agricultural interventions.

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