Determinants of Well-being Status of Rice Farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Well-being is a research area with growing empirical study. This paper examined the determinants of wellbeing of rice farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Altogether, 181 rice farmers from Karu, Kokona and Doma local government areas were chosen for the study by multi-stage sampling technique. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the rice farmers were satisfied with their well-being status having satisfaction in five out of seven indicators that defined a general well-being of an individual. However, indicators of well-being status like safety and future security fell below the index satisfaction scale level of 5.50. The logit regression model which was estimated to identify the determinants of well-being status among rice farming households indicated that, age, rice yield and extension contact had a significant effect (at 1% level of significance) on the well-being status of rice farmers. Based on the findings, safety and future security of farming households are suggested to enable rice farmers to achieve a satisfactory well-being status. In addition, agricultural stakeholders should ensure that extension visits to rice farmers should be timely and regular in order to enable them gain access to knowledge, resources, and services that will enhance their productivity well-being status.
Keywords: rice farmers, future security, safety, well-being, Nasarawa