CONSTRAINTS TO INCREASED FOOD PRODUCTIVITY IN RURAL AREAS: AN EXAMPLE FROM AFON DISTRICT, ILORIN, NIGERIA.

Abstract

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Abstract.

The survey reported in this study focuses on assessing food productivity in Afon district area of Kwara state with a view to identify the various constraints to increased food productivity. 294 local farmers and 180 itinerant traders involved in food productivity and distribution were interviewed through questionnaire administration. Findings showed that the high cost of foodstuff is due to decrease in food stuff production in the farm rather than high profit margin in the market. Similarly, evidence showed that farmers enjoyed a number of advantages from the practice of mixed cropping. Consequently, the stepwise multiple regressions identified six constraints as militating against increased production. They include high cost of human labour, high cost of transportation, lack of credit facilities and lack of fertilizer/high yielding seeds. Others are high cost of crop damages/poor storage facilities and poor sales, appropriate recommendations are duly suggested.