IMPACT ANALYSIS OF TOMATO CONTRACT FARMING ON FARMERS WELFARE IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

his study examined the impact of tomato contract farming on productivity, income, and household welfare of smallholder farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Tomato production plays a critical role in food security and livelihood enhancement in northern Nigeria; however, smallholder farmers continue to face challenges such as limited market access, price volatility, inadequate input supply, and low productivity. Contract farming has been promoted as an institutional arrangement capable of addressing these challenges through assured markets, input provision, and technical support.Primary data were collected from tomato farming households using a multistage sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were administered to both contract and non-contract farmers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents, while econometric techniques, including propensity score matching and productivity analysis, were employed to estimate the impact of contract farming participation on farm performance and household welfare. Poverty and welfare effects were evaluated using standard poverty indices.The results revealed that participation in contract farming significantly increased tomato yield, farm income, and household welfare compared with non-participating farmers. Contract farmers exhibited higher productivity levels, better access to modern inputs, and lower poverty incidence. Education, farming experience, farm size, access to credit, and extension contact were identified as key determinants of participation. Despite these benefits, challenges such as delayed payments and weak contract enforcement were reported. The study concludes that contract farming is an effective mechanism for improving smallholder tomato production and welfare, and recommends strengthening institutional support, improving contract enforcement, and expanding access to credit and extension services.