Impact of rural transportation networks on farmers’ income in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

This study examined how the nature of rural transportation networks affects the income of local farmers. The study involved arable crop farmers in the Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. A structured interview was used to gather information from a total of 120 farmers in rural communities across the local government using a two-stage random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that farmers’ poor nature of transportation networks has a negative impact on their income. Gender (χ² = 6.472) and marital status (χ² = 9.745) positively influenced income generated by farmers at p < 0.05. Additionally, there was a moderate and significant correlation between transportation systems used (r = 0.705, p < 0.05), the perceived impact of rural transport (r = 0.267, p < 0.05), and the farmers’ income on agricultural activities. The results have shown that the serious constraints faced by the farmers are high cost of transportation which has a great influence on their generated income. The study allows to conclude that the nature of transportation networks available in the communities under study has a significant impact on the level of income to be realised by farmers. The construction, development, and provision of more rural transport networks would not only boost the standard of living and reduce transport costs of the rural poor but could also be a solution for the prolonged deplorable and worsening situation of rural roads in the country.