Abstract

<p>Enhancing the welfare of rural households remains a key policy goal in Nigeria. This study examines the determinants of welfare among arable crop farmers in the study area. Data were collected from 120 randomly selected farming households and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a censored Tobit regression model.</p>
<p>The welfare indicators revealed that most respondents were categorized in the low to middle-income group. The majority of households used corrugated iron sheets, cement walls, and concrete floors for construction, indicating a basic standard of living. Environmental concerns were minimal, as evidenced by poor waste disposal and drainage practices observed among the respondents.</p>
<p>The regression analysis identified farm size, household size, and years of schooling as significant determinants of household expenditure per capita. Specifically, larger farm sizes, smaller household sizes, and higher levels of education were associated with higher per capita expenditures, suggesting a positive impact on household welfare.</p>
<p>Based on these findings, the study recommends that the government and relevant stakeholders prioritize education as a strategy to enhance farmers’ welfare. Improved education would likely increase farmers' ability to adopt new technologies and optimize labor utilization, particularly regarding household size and family labor, which would further improve their welfare</p>