Analysis of Entrepreneurship Development in Agriculture among Small Scale Farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria
1Pev Isaac &2Yaro Anthony
1Taraba State Post Primary Schools Management Board, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria
2Department of Agricultural Education, College of Education, Zing, Taraba State Nigeria
Email: zikpev@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The study explores entrepreneurship development in agriculture among small-scale farmers in Taraba State, with a focus on bridging the gap of deep dearth in research, knowledge and literature on agribusiness development in this part of North Eastern Nigeria. One hundred and fifty agribusiness entrepreneurs were selected using multi-stage random sampling technique. Data was collected from respondents using a validated and tested structured interview schedule with a reliability coefficient of 0.78 based on Cronbach Alpha formula. Four research questions guided the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and measure of central tendency. Result of the analysis revealed that personal intension, need for autonomy and displacement as well as disruption in life constitute the key drive to entrepreneurship development in the study area. Agribusiness Entrepreneurship enterprises have been invaluable to small scale farmers in the state. However, the Study identified poor access to entrepreneurship information, inadequate start-up capital and reoccurrence of ethno religious violence in many parts of the state as major impediment to entrepreneurship development in Agriculture in the area. Despite this shortcomings small scale farmers perceived their extent of entrepreneurship drive and participation to be high ( =2.80). It was therefore recommended that effective and adequate entrepreneurship policies and programmes should be developed for farmers while urgently addressing the negative factors that hinder its growth and development in the area. Fostering entrepreneurship education at all levels to ensure capacity building for diverse enterprises in agriculture was also advocated. Ultimately, government at all levels and private sector support fund is necessary to enhance entrepreneurship spirit and development among farmers in the area. Most importantly urgent measures should be taken to curb the destructive activities of the Fulani cattle herdsmen so as to create a peaceful environment for agribusiness investors in Taraba state, Nigeria.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, Small Scale farmers
