Factors Influencing Income Inequality among Farming Households of Cassava Producers, North Central, Nigeria

This study focused on the factors influencing income inequality among farming households of cassava producers in North Central, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 160 cassava producers. Primary data were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Gini coefficient, and Probit model analysis. The results show that about 87% of cassava producers were male, while 13% were female. Approximate 92% of cassava producers were married. The mean age of cassava producers was 48 years. Averagely, the cassava producers had 13 years’ experience in cassava farming. The cassava producers were literate with an average of 12 years of school education. The household sizes were large with an average of 8 people per household. Approximate 77% of cassava producers were member of cooperatives. The average farm size was 1.75 hectares which means that they are small-scale farmers. The estimates of Gini-coefficient show that 67 (41.88%) of cassava producers had values equal or less than 0.5 which means that they belong to low and moderate income inequality class. Similarly, approximate 93 (58.12%) of cassava producers had Gini-coefficient greater than 0.5, this implies that they belong to high income inequality class. The age, level of education, amount of credit accessed, farm experience, farm size, and extension contact were significantly different from zero in influencing the income inequality among farming households of cassava producers. The study recommends that single digit credit facilities should be provided to cassava farmers devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures. Also, mechanized farming using farm technologies with adequate provision of fertilizers, improved cuttings, agrochemicals, at appropriate time and affordable prices will increase productivity, income of cassava farmers.