Abstract:
The study analysed income inequalities and welfare of farmers in South Eastern Nigeria, using
Abia State where the occupation of majority is farming. Specifically, the study accessed the income
inequalities of the farmers; determine the factors that influence welfare among the farmers
in the study area; and made recommendations based on the findings. Multi-stage sampling
technique was adopted for this study. First, two Local Government Areas were selected from
each of the three agricultural zones. From these Local Government Areas, three communities
were chosen. Finally, a random selection of twenty farmers was selected each from the three
communities, bringing total of one hundred and eighty (180) farmers/respondents. Primary
source of data was used for the study. This was actualized with questionnaire administered to
the already selected respondents. The study employed Gini-coefficient and multiple regression
in the analysis of the data collected. The Gini coefficient value was 0.67, showing that there
was high income inequality in the study area. The regression result that determined the factors
influencing farmer’s welfare showed that marital status, farm size, access to credit, value of
access, cost of labour, farming experience and household size were major determinants of
farmers’ welfare. The study recommended that government policies targeted at farmers should
be strengthened, cost saving technologies should be introduced and farmer educated to adopt
such measures, amongst others.
