Appraisal perceived economic factors affecting rice production and its yield in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This work aimed to run an appraisal of the perceived economics factors affecting rice production and its yield in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. In order to effectively carry out this study; the descriptive survey research design was adopted. The multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 120 rice farmers in Ogun State. Data were collected by conducting a face-to-face interview as well as a well-structured questionnaire designed in line with the objective of the study and was analysed using descriptive statistics such as, budgetary techniques and Ordinary Least Square regression. The various challenges deduced to be facing rice production in the study area includes soil degradation, stagnant agricultural production, transportation cost, foreign exchange rate, pest and diseases, lack of funds and plantation site. According to the means rating carried out on each of the challenges, stagnant agricultural production with a mean score of 4.24 is ranked first as a major challenge in the study area, followed by harvesting process with a mean score of 4.20 and followed by lack of fund with a mean score of 4.16.The least challenge in the study area was family size with a mean score of 3.27. The regression results of the socio- economic factors affecting farmer’s output indicated that only farm size, quantity of seed, quantity of fertilizer, quantity of chemical and years of formal education of the farmers are significant. The value of the coefficient of determination (R2) showed that 68.2 percent of the variation in the output of the farmers is explained by the independent’s variable in the model. It was recommended that increased farm size, seed, level of education, controlled use of fertilizer and chemicals should be encouraged.