Assessment of Contribution of Special Rice Project on Acquisition of Assets by Rice Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out in Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State where rice production is the major source of income. The study determined increase in rice yield / income and identified assets acquired by participants arising from their involvement in the Special Rice Project (SRP). Through multistage random sampling technique, 204 respondents (102 participants and 102 non-participants) were selected as respondent for the study. Data were collected by means of structured interview schedule and analyzed by frequency, percentages and t-test statistics. The result of the study showed that 78.4% of the participants accessed improved seeds during the SRP implementation while 72.5% of non participants relied on local (poor) seeds. Furthermore all the participants in the SRP received fertilizer, herbicide and training during the project implementation while 24.5%, 46.3% and 8.8% of non-participants accessed fertilizer, herbicide and training respectively. In addition, 97% and 18.5% of participants and non-participants accessed tractor respectively. The average yield of rice from participating and non-participating farms was 2.4 and 3.34 tonnes/hectare respectively. While the income of non-participants and participants from rice production was N129, 410 and N338.700/annum respectively. A significant difference existed in possession of economic assets (t = 3.545, p < 0.000) and rice yield (t = 3.401, p < 0.000) of participants and non-participants in SRP. It was concluded that low income and yield recorded by non-participants was mainly caused by poor access to production assets. The provision of the assets during SRP improved their income and acquisition of assets required for rice production and for better living conditions. Therefore, it was recommended that the scope of the SRP should be expanded to cut across all rice farmers in the country.