Socio-Economic Determinants Of Upland Rice Production Among Farmers In Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic determinants of upland rice production among farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four communities out of which 120 respondents were selected for the study. Interview schedule was use to collect data from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and regression. The results showed that socio-economics characteristics such as age, farm size, educational status and ownership of farmland are the most prominent factors that affect the production of upland rice in the study area. It was found that farmers are seriously faced with problems such as rainfall fluctuation, attack of birds and rodents, pest and diseases infestation, availability and accessibility of labour and inadequate fund. It is recommended that Research institutes should develop and transfer sustainable technologies on rice cultivation, processing, packaging and marketing using other method of information dissemination other than print to the farmers. There should be provision of irrigation facilities for the farmers so that they can be able to produce rice throughout the year.

Keywords: upland rice production, farmers

Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (2) 2007: pp. 37-43