Abstract
This study examined farm capital formation and inequality among livestock farmers in Uyo Agricultural Zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data was collected using questionnaire from 120 livestock farmers selected through a multi-stage random sampling and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Z test, Gini Coefficient, and Multiple regression analysis. Results revealed a mean age, household size, education, and farming experience of 38 years, 4 persons, 10 and 11 years, respectively. Result also revealed a total asset value of N69,023,761 for livestock farmers in the study area. Of this, off-farm income earners had an asset value of N 35, 055, 80 (50.8%) with a mean of N584, 064 while none-off-farm livestock income earners had an asset value of N33, 967,922 (49.2%) with an average farm asset of N584, 064. The difference in mean farm asset value was not statistically significant. The result of the Gini Coefficient revealed a high inequality in farm assets among respondents (GC= 0.787). Further analysis also revealed that asset inequality was more severe among non- off-farm income earners (GC= 0.784) than off-farm income earners (GC=0.789). The result of the multiple regression analysis showed that the major determinants of farm asset formation were access to credit, farm size, household size, and total farm income and off-farm work participation. The study recommended policies that will reduce income inequality, reduce household sizes, enhance credit access, and promote access to large farmlands as the way out.