Land Use Patterns and Agricultural Productivity in Kogi State

Land allocation decisions among smallholder farming households reflect complex trade-offs between crop diversity, subsistence security, and market orientation. In Kogi State, situated at the confluence of Nigeria's North Central zone with agricultural and transitional ecological zones, land use patterns vary considerably across communities. This study examines how land is allocated across crop enterprises and how these allocation patterns affect overall farm productivity among smallholder farmers in Kogi State. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 155 farming households were randomly selected across three agro-ecological divisions within the state. Data on farm area, crops grown, yield estimates, and income by enterprise were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics and the farm enterprise budget method. Findings indicate that the majority of farmers practice mixed cropping, with guinea corn, cassava, yam, and vegetables as principal crops. Households allocating at least 30 percent of farmland to a market-oriented crop reported 40 percent higher net farm incomes on average. Soil quality variation and family labour availability were the strongest determinants of land allocation decisions. Irrigated farmland, though limited in coverage, produced the highest value output per hectare. The study concludes that productivity improvements are achievable through better land use planning combined with market information services. It recommends extension-led enterprise budgeting clinics and community-based soil mapping to guide more efficient land allocation among Kogi State farmers. Keywords: land use, crop enterprise, productivity, Kogi State, smallholder farming