Abstract
This study estimated the determinants of off-farm participation and income among livestock farmers in Uyo Agricultural Zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data was collected using questionnaire from 60 livestock farmers through a multi-stage random sampling and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and Heckman’s two-stage selection model. Results revealed a mean age, household size, education, and farming experience of 38 years, 4 persons, 10 and 11 years, respectively. The result further showed that participation in off-farm work was significantly enhanced by educational attainment (p>0.05), household size,(p>0.05), acquisition of technical skills,(p>0.05), availability of off-farm work,(p>0.05) and off-farm income, (p>0.01) and reduce with increasing total farm income, ( P>0.01), access to farm credit, (p>0.05) and farm size, (p>0.000). Also, the amount of off-farm income invested in livestock production increased with an increasing membership of social organizations (p>0.00), farm size (p>0.00) and off-farm work experience (p>0.00) and reduced by educational attainment (p>0.05), household size (p>0.05) and major occupation (p>0.00). The result further showed that the determinants of off-farm income were membership in social organization (p>0.05), educational attainment (p>0.01), major occupation, (p>0.00), off-farm work experience (p>0.00 and availability of off-farm work (p>0.05). Hence, policies that will boost farm income enhance capital formation and improve the marketing environment are recommended