Abstract:

Purpose: This paper focused on the assessment of livelihood assets amongst farming communities in Zurmi local government area, Zamfara state, Nigeria. 

Methodology: The paper used a sample population of 160.  A multi stage sampling technique was further adopted in which farming districts and villages were selected for the administration of 160 structured questionnaire and the British Department for International Development (DFID) framework of sustainable livelihood approach was used in the in the design  of the livelihood questionnaire. The distribution of questionnaires purposively targeted Farming Household Head (FHH) Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages were adopted in the analysis of quantitative data generated.  Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with farmers association in the local government area which further elicited information on farmers’ problems as they relate to access to farm inputs, pests, crop yield reduction due to variation in climatic elements and community assets. Data obtained from the FGD were analyzed by using Micro-Interlocutor Analysis. 

Findings: The results show that farming communities in Zurmi local government have weak natural, physical, and financial capital while they have a relatively strong human and social capital base. 

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The paper recommended the formation of Farmers’ Model Villages (FMV) amongst others, so as to strengthen the livelihood assets base of farming communities in Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state.