EFFECTS OF ACHA FARMING CHALLENGES ON FARMERS’ SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELLBEING IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Acha is widely planted in Plateau State, Nigeria where it provides food, income and employment for many farmers. However, there are challenges associated with its cultivation which have implications on their socio-economic wellbeing. This study examined the effects that acha farming challenges have on the socio-economic wellbeing of acha farmers in Plateau State. The study population comprised all the registered acha farmers in two of the three agricultural zones in the state which are Plateau North and Plateau Central.  Of the estimated 3,143 registered acha farmers in the study area according to Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), 400 acha farmers were randomly selected. The study adopted semi-structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Data were analysed with frequencies and percentages while the assumption was analyzed with the use of Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings showed that the main pre-harvest challenges facing the farmers were lack of knowledge in planting space (88.4%), fertilization (81.8%), insufficient labour force and discouragement due to poor yield (66.8%). Social and economic wellbeing of the farmers mainly affected were social interaction (76.5%), participation in social gathering, ability to get married and income (73.6%). PPMC shows that pre-harvest challenges had inverse significant relationship with Social (r = -0.788) and economic (r = -0.023) wellbeing of the farmers. The study concluded that pre-harvest challenges of the farmers had negative effect on the social and economic wellbeing of the farmers. Thus, extension intervention to tackle the pre-harvest challenges of the farmers is needed in the study area.