Size Distribution of Income Among Rice-Based Farming Households in South Eastern States of Nigeri

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the income distribution among rice-based farming households in Okigwe Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. A sample of 120 rice-based farmers was selected by multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a well structured questionnaire administered to 120 randomly selected rice farmers. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Gini-coefficient model was also employed. The socio-economic characteristic of the farmers revealed that majority of the farmers were educated. Besides, majority of them also hadappreciable experience in rice farming which makes them better rice farmers. It was revealed that income share percentage of the richest households was 17.65% followed by the second richest group with income share percentage of 13.27%. Those in the twelfth decile represented the poorest group with a cumulative share percentage 2.82%. The Gini-coefficient of distribution of 0.32 showed that incomes were not highly concentrated but varied around the low per capita of N1442,859per household. It becomes imperative therefore to enhance farmers’ income through a sustainable improved technology in rice farming.