Economic Activities of Rice Production Practice and the Outcome in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i9.31

Abstract

By means of a descriptive statistics and farm budgeting technique, economic activities of rice production practice in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria was ascertained. Primary data were collected from cross-section of 360 paddy rice farmers drawn from 3 States in the Savanna zone of Nigeria using a structural questionnaire. The results of the findings showed that rice farmers used personal savings (75.6%) as capital for engagement in rice production while majority (67%) used family labour in rice production. On average, the respondents owned 2.6 hectares of land. Majority (76.0%) of the rice farmers were semi commercial. The farmers planted different
varieties of rice seeds of improved and local and established their seeds by broadcasting method (51.0%). Urea was fertilizer that 81% of the farmers used in their rice farms. In terms of production practice engaged in by the farmers, 74% were on lowland, 21% on upland while 5% on irrigation practice. Rice farmers in Niger, Kogi and FCT showed variability in profit. Paddy rice farmers in Kogi State had the highest return (₦/ha 21,420.55) followed by Niger (₦/ha16,668.12) and FCT (₦/ha15,724.01). The study concluded by recommending among others that the district agricultural development office should create opportunities for paddy rice farmers that earn high returns to share their knowledge with those paddy rice farmers with lower returns and also involve them in fundamental farm management skills training.