Impact of fuel subsidy removal on agricultural production among smallholder farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria.

The study looked at how smallholder farmers in Nigeria's Cross River state fared agriculturally after fuel subsidies were removed in 2023. The study was directed by four objectives. 120 smallholder farmers received standardized questionnaires, which were used to collect data. A multistage random selection approach was employed in the study to identify farming households from each hamlet. The data were analyzed using Likert-type scales, regression, and descriptive statistics. The findings of logistic regression indicate that the elimination of fuel subsidies has had a detrimental effect on agricultural operations in the research region. These issues include growing transportation expenses, limited sales, a shortage of vehicles to deliver product to markets because of high fuel prices, and, lastly, rising prices for the country's available agricultural commodities. The study submits that agriculture is a profitable sector for young people to pursue after seeing that youngsters between the ages of 20 and 29 (64.2%) dominated in the field. The results showed that while the distance between the farms and the market is a significant factor contributing to the high cost of transportation, it also has an impact on the price of agricultural produce. As a result, the government ought to assist rural farmers by building roads, offering incentives, better market access, and subsidized transportation. In order to lessen burdens for residents, especially smallholder farmers in Cross River State, the report recommended that careful research be prioritized before enacting policies like the reduction of fuel subsidies.