This study examined the role of agriculture in poverty reduction among rural households in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of farming households, assessed the contribution of agricultural activities to household welfare and poverty reduction, and identified the major constraints limiting the effectiveness of agriculture as a poverty reduction strategy. Primary data was collected from 103 farming households using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model, with poverty reduction proxied by observable improvements in household welfare indicators attributable to agricultural activities. The results revealed that agriculture was the primary occupation and major source of income for most respondents. The logistic regression results showed that annual agricultural income and improved household feeding had positive and statistically significant effects on household welfare improvement, while reduction in food expenditure also significantly enhanced welfare outcomes. Conversely, lack of access to modern agricultural technology exerted a negative and significant influence on household welfare improvement. The study further identified major constraints faced by farming households, including limited access to credit, inadequate infrastructure, pest and disease incidence, and poor access to modern farming tools and technologies. The study concludes that agriculture plays a significant and multidimensional role in poverty reduction among rural households in Jema’a Local Government Area through income generation, improved food security, and reduced household expenditure. However, the poverty-reducing potential of agriculture remains constrained by structural and institutional challenges. Strengthening access to credit, modern agricultural technologies, extension services, and rural infrastructure is therefore essential for enhancing agricultural productivity and improving household welfare in the study area.
Manza et al. (Thu,) studied this question.