DIVERSITY IN THE USE OF LAND FOR TEA PRODUCTION AND ITS EFFECTS ON FARMERS’ INCOME IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA (pp. 51-55)
ABSTRACT
Despite the limited land available for tea production on Mambilla plateau in Taraba State, there are different crops grown on the plateau competing for the limited space. This, however, reduces the extent at which tea could be grown which consequently affect the income derivable from tea production on the plateau. This study, therefore, investigates the effects of diversity in the use of land on the income of tea farmers. The study was carried out on Mambilla plateau in Taraba State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 85 respondents from 12 communities on the plateau. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents and the data retrieved from the information collected were analysed using descriptive statistics as well as budgetary analysis. The result of the analysis showed that 85.88% of the respondents were of the age 60 years and below while 25.88% of the respondents had secondary school education and above. There are 13 other crops that are competing with tea for space on Mambilla plateau and 82.5% of the total space available is planted with tea. However, the average net farm income from one hectare was N151,689.44 per year showing that tea production is profitable in the study area. The study concluded that reduction in the space for tea production consequently reduces the output from tea thereby reduces the income derivable from tea production in the study area.