ADOPTION OF IMPROVED RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS OF RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS IN KANO AND KADUNA STATES, NIGERIA

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS OF RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS IN KANO AND KADUNA STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract:

This study was carried out to investigate the adoption of improved rice production technologies by members and non-members of Rice Farmers Associations in Kaduna and Kano States. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 266 respondents comprising of 133 members and 133 non-members from both States while semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data collected were analysed by using descriptive statistics, Z-test, Chi-square and Tobit regression model. The results from the study showed that the most important source of information on rice production among members of Rice Farmers Associations in the study area was radio (17.3%) followed by other farmers (16.4%), and extension agent (13.3%). Non-members had radio as the most important source with 20.8% followed by other farmers (18.3%) and farmers‟ leader (17.6%). This implied that radio, other farmers, extension agent and farmers‟ leader were the preferred sources of information on rice production among rice farmers in the study area. The level of adoption was above 70% in 7 out of the 13 improved rice production technologies. These included use of tractor for land preparation, planting of improved rice variety, seed dressing with agrochemical, use of herbicide for land clearing, use of herbicide for weed control in rice fields, basal NPK fertiliser application and top dressing with urea. Adoption of rice crop residue as manure and use of rice milling machine among members was between 50 and 69%. Sorting of rice seeds for planting, rice-legume rotation, use of mechanical thresher and use of mechanical winnower were adopted by less than 50% of the respondents. On an average, 64% of members adopted improved rice production technologies compared to 57% of non-members. Test of significance showed that adoption of improved rice production technologies by members was significantly higher than that of non-members in the pooled data. In Kaduna, rice yield per hectare obtained among members was higher than that of non-members but not significantly different while in Kano, non-members had significantly higher rice yield than members. Rice yield obtained by non-members (2.67 tons/ha) in the pooled results was found to be significantly higher than that of members (2.23 tons/ha). Income, savings, means of transportation and source of drinking water were similar among members and non-members of Rice Farmers Associations. The study showed that the performance of members of Rice Farmers Associations varied from one State to another in the study area depending on the capacity of the associations to contribute to enhancement of their members‟ income. Major problems obstructing adoption of rice production technologies as identified by the respondents included difficulty in obtaining loans for purchase of farm inputs, low level of education, selling of rice to middlemen at poor price and poor access to machines for threshing, winnowing and milling. It is recommended that business development support should be given to Rice Farmers Associations to facilitate access to market information. In addition researchers and extension specialists should work with rice farmers using innovative approaches such as Farmers Field School to enhance better uptake of improved rice production technologies.

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS OF RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS IN KANO AND KADUNA STATES, NIGERIA