Determinants of Off-Farm Labor Supply among Farming Households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study analyzes the various determinants of off-farm labor choice decision in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Primary data collected from 120 respondents were employed in the study and analyzed using the logistic regression model. Result of the socio-economic characteristics of respondents revealed the prevalence of female farmers (63.3%), majority which were married (50%) with average household size of eight persons. Majority were educated with average experience of eighteen years. The prevailing off-farm work typology and pattern in the study area were self-employment (50%) and part time engagement (63.3%). Result of the logistic regression revealed that farm size, household size, total annual off-farm income and educational attainment of respondents were the major determinants of off-farm labor choice decision in the study area. This informed the need to pursue policies that would enhance educational attainment in the study area, enhance and stabilize income in the off-farm sector as well as educating and enlightening rural households, especially women on the benefit of off-farm work and the creation of enabling environment in rural areas through infrastructure provision with view to reducing migration to urban areas in search of off-farm work as the way out.