Abstract

Limited knowledge is available regarding how the subsistence-oriented agricultural production in Nigeria is practiced in order to provide policy guides for its future development. This study focused on the cropping patterns, enterprise combination and the nature of costs and returns on subsistence farming practices with a view to determining the major variables affecting the farm’s economic performance. Data analyzed were obtained from farm survey covering the two major vegetation zones in south western Nigeria. Frequency tables, correlation matrix and regression were used as analytical tools. Results showed that subsistence farming is not absolutely un-profitable but for the fact that farmers operate at sub-optimal levels. Farmers believed that farming was profitable by their subjective evaluation and because it satisfies their subsistence needs. Organized and guided programmes of increasing farm size; reducing labour cost and improving farming techniques could serve as saviours to enhance income on subsistence farms.

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