Abstract:
This study uses household`s survey data to analyze income
portfolios and determinants in rural Nigeria. The results indicate that,
while farming accounts for half of total household`s income, the other
half is from different off-farm sources. Considering income composition
across poverty groups, the results show that farm and remittance income
are the main income sources for the poor households and therefore any
policies that can address these income sources will have the greatest
impact on poverty reduction. On the other hand, off-farm employment especially
self-employed activities are the main income sources of the relatively
better-off households. Econometric analysis shows that household assets,
size, farm size, social infrastructure and market access are important
determinants of total income. Policies that would simultaneously promote
the development of the agricultural and off-farm sectors are suggested
to reduce poverty in rural Nigeria.