ABSTRACT
Maize farming is essential for food security and economic stability in Nigeria, notably in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, where it significantly contributes to household income. The study aims to investigate the specific effects of inflation on maize farming Ikpoba -Okha, assess famers’ coping strategies and propose policy recommendations to mitigate these challenges. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics of maize farmers in Ikpoba- Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, identified the access to sources of information available for mitigating inflation effect among maize farmers, assessed the perceived effect of inflation on maize farmers livelihood, identified the coping strategies adopted by maize farmers to address inflation and identified the constraints faced by maize farmers during inflation.
A two-stage sampling technique was used in the selection of 175 maize farmers from five key maize-producing communities, with 153 valid responses analyzed. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression and Pearson correlation were used to assess relationships between farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, information access, and inflation perception. Findings indicate that 64.7% of respondents were male, and 63.4% were aged 40–59 years. Most farmers had household sizes of 5–9 members, reducing reliance on hired labor. Farmers predominantly relied on informal information sources, including farmers’ unions ( = 2.08), cooperatives ( = 2.49), and peer networks ( = 2.26), rather than formal channels like extension services or digital media. Regression analysis showed that higher education (p = 0.003) and farming experience (p = 0.040) reduced concerns about inflation, while larger farm size (p = 0.000) and household size (p = 0.041) increased its perceived impact. Access to extension services (p = 0.000) heightened awareness of inflation’s effects, likely due to better exposure to economic trends. Pearson correlation analysis (r = -0.425, p = 0.000) indicated a moderate but significant inverse relationship between access to information and inflation perception, highlighting the importance of financial literacy and market intelligence in reducing economic vulnerability.
This study concludes that improved access to timely and relevant agricultural information enhances farmers’ adaptive capacity and decision-making during inflationary pressures. It therefore recommends strengthening agricultural extension services, expanding digital and traditional information dissemination channels, and implementing targeted policies that enhance financial literacy, market access, and cooperative participation.
