Socioeconomic characteristics of rural farmers and problems associated with the use of informal insurance measures in Odogbolu Local government area, Ogun state, Nigeria

This study analyzed the socioeconomic characteristics of rural farmers and problems associated with the use of informal insurance measures in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun state, Nigeria. To give effect to the study, eighty farmers were randomly selected from the study area. A two-stage sampling procedure was used in the collection of primary data in Odogbolu LGA. The first stage involved a random selection of five (5) communities from amongst the communities in Odogbolu LGA of Ogun state. The second stage involved the selection of respondents/farmers from each of the communities using the same insurance practices from the already listed informal insurance practices with probability proportionate to the size of each farming communities selected. Data collected through structured questionnaires and interview schedules were analyzed using frequency distribution such as mean and percentage. Results showed all the measures used had factors that limited their effectiveness. Majority of the farmers (61%) identified their major problems with the use of informal insurance measures as entry constraints which was grouped into lack of credit, lack of credit facilities, Lack of working capital (assets like land) and lack of skills (education). Recommendation for this study is that farmers should be encouraged to invest more and increase their input in agriculture as to improve their output/revenue. Also, the government should give concessions to the rural farmers in various aspects which include provision of credit facilities, provision of infrastructures and inputs for rural farmers to enable them perform most of the informal insurance measures.