Analysis of Perceived Effect of Kidnapping on Smallholder Arable Crop Farmers’ Activities in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

This study assessed smallholder farmers’ perception on the effect of kidnapping on arable cropping practices in Ose Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics, identified arable crops cultivated; ascertained farmers’ knowledge of kidnapping; and examined the perceived effect of kidnapping on arable crop farming as well as identified strategies adopted against kidnapping in the study area. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed to collect data from 120 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics while t-statistics in binary logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of their perceived knowledge of kidnapping. Results indicate that 52.5% of respondents were males and the mean age of 51.33 years. It was also revealed that about 33.3% had secondary education, 65% had over 20 years of farming experience, while 58.3% of farmers cultivated 3–5 acres of land. There was a significant relationship between farm size (t = 6.129≤0.000) and their knowledge of kidnapping. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening rural security, improving road infrastructure, and implementing other targeted measures to mitigate the incidence of kidnapping and its impact on agricultural activities in the region..