Farm Size and Productivity Relationship Among Vegetable Farmers in Plateau State

The relationship between farm size and productivity is a long-standing debate in agricultural economics, particularly relevant in African smallholder contexts where land fragmentation and resource limitations interact in complex ways. This study investigates this relationship among vegetable farmers operating in the Jos Plateau area of Plateau State, Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, which is known for its temperate climate and active horticultural industry. A sample of 140 vegetable farmers stratified by farm size into small (less than 0.5 ha), medium (0.5 to 2 ha), and large (above 2 ha) categories was surveyed using structured questionnaires. Yield data, input application rates, and revenue figures were obtained for a single growing season. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. Results indicate a negative inverse relationship between farm size and output per hectare, consistent with the inverse farm size-productivity hypothesis. Smaller farms recorded higher yields per unit area due to more intensive labour application and careful agronomic management. However, larger farms generated higher absolute gross margins owing to economies of scale in marketing. Water access and proximity to urban markets were identified as key moderating variables. The study recommends targeted support for small-scale vegetable producers in the form of drip irrigation kits and direct market linkage programmes to improve their income per unit area. Keywords: farm size, productivity, vegetable farming, Plateau State, inverse relationship