Types, Access Levels, and Determinants of Farm Input Access among Arable Crop Farmers in South-South, Nigeria
Abstract
Aims: This study examined the types of farm inputs used by arable crop farmers, assessed their level of access to key farm inputs, and analysed the determinants of input access. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among arable crop farmers in Rivers, Delta, and Edo States, Nigeria, from February to April 2026. Methodology: A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 600 arable crop farmers. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Results: Most respondents were female (64%) and married (66%), with a mean age of 43 years, an average household size of six persons, and mean farming experience of 15 years. About 61% had at least secondary education, while 59% belonged to cooperative societies and 52% had access to extension services. The major inputs used were hired labour (87%), fertiliser (82%), family labour (78%), herbicides (76%), and improved seeds (73%). Access was high for improved seeds (mean = 2.93) and fertiliser (mean = 3.02), but low for mechanised services (mean = 2.19), credit (mean = 2.32), and irrigation facilities (mean = 2.07). The logistic regression model was statistically significant (LR Chi-square = 148.61, p < 0.01; pseudo R² = 0.410). Education (coefficient = 0.421), farm size (coefficient = 0.563), and cooperative membership (coefficient = 0.719) positively influenced access to farm inputs, whereas distance to market had a negative effect (coefficient = -0.487). Conclusion: Arable crop farmers in Rivers, Delta, and Edo States had relatively better access to improved seeds and fertiliser than to mechanisation, agricultural credit, and irrigation facilities. Strengthening farmer cooperatives, improving rural road and market infrastructure, expanding farmer education, and increasing access to credit, mechanisation, and irrigation services are essential for improving farm input access and agricultural productivity.