ASSESSMENT OF RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE AMONG FADAMA FARMERS OF JAMA ARE RIVER VALLEY, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

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1 ASSESSMENT OF RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE AMONG FADAMA FARMERS OF JAMA ARE RIVER VALLEY, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA *A. S. GIDADO, **V.A TENEBE, ***Y.M. ABDULLAHI *National Open University of Nigeria, Bauchi, Nigeria **National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos ***National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Service, Zaria, Nigeria Abstract This survey study investigated Fadama rice farmers socio-economic characteristics, awareness of production challenges and assessment of effectiveness of new rice production technologies in four rice producing areas within the Jama are River Valley, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a total of 240 active rice farmers in the four locations, namely: Gadar Maiwa, Zigau, Jama are and Katagum. The findings indicated that Fadama rice cultivation is predominantly performed by middle-aged male farmers (mean age = 40 years); most of whom (0%) had no formal education but have a wealth of rice farming experience, especially traditional methods. A majority of these farmers source their seeds internally, with shortfalls purchased from local markets. These farmers generally rated most of the new rice production technologies as highly effective, in spite of the various constraints affecting Fadama rice farming in the study area. The studies re-established the high prospects of Fadama ecologies for rice production and imply a need to intensify the provision of agricultural extension support services, especially appropriate rice technologies and best practices, to rice farmers in the study area. The farmers will need assistance with subsidized inputs, proper pricing policies and access to good markets. Fadama farmers have the potential to improve rice production level in Nigeria significantly, and thereby contribute to the current Government s agricultural transformation agenda. Introduction Keywords: Fadama, farmers, assessment, rice production, technology, effectiveness Rice is cultivated widely in northern Nigeria. The production in north eastern Nigeria is estimated at about 0.6 to 0.8 million hectares. However, the production is restricted in the hands of the paddy growers; small upland producers that are resource-poor and cultivating between 1 and 3 hectares under rain-fed conditions. Total consumption of rice in Nigeria rose from about 80,000 to 240,000 metric tonnes annually, from 160 to 180. But despite successive government efforts towards increasing paddy production less than half of the total domestic demand was being met leading to continuous importation of parboiled rice into the country. By 10, the country was producing 3.4 million metric tonnes of rice from about 1.2 million hectares (Imolehin, 11a). This healthy production trend would have been sustained but for the unsteady government policy on rice imports. Increased production over the two decades up to 17 could be attributed to the ban imposed on rice imports in 18 and, if this restriction had been maintained, Nigerian rice farmers would have risen to the challenge of meeting the domestic demand for the commodity. This has not been the case, however, as the Government slackened rice import restrictions, after which foreign rice flooded back on to Nigerian markets (Imolehin et al, 11).

2 Paddy rice production has been a lifelong business among farmers in north eastern Nigeria. The farmers often organize themselves into associations that cater for production, management and marketing. These associations are community based and are formed by resident farmers with very little intervention of government agencies. In most rice growing areas production is characterized by independent smallholder farms. Government incentives to the farmers, as well as other specialized services were rare (Ayotade, 11). Several agronomic and processing activities are involved in rice production especially fertilization, weeding, management of diseases and processing. This shows that rice production is labourintensive. Researchers have developed and released high yielding rice varieties for various soils and ecology that are also resistant to blast, the most common rice disease (Imolehin, 11a). Consequently farmers have to regularly spray against the disease and weeds throughout the growth cycle; this trend is injurious to farmers health and constitutes environmental degradation. In the north eastern states, the agricultural extension agencies have over the years communicated the rice production and management technologies developed by researchers in addition to several improved varieties that have been adapted for cultivation in most ecologies and seasons of the year (Imolehin, 11b). In the study area the fadama program and the Bauchi state agricultural development program (BSADP) provided inputs and extension services to rice farmers throughout the state. However, despite these efforts local rice production still fall below the national demand thus, encouraging importation of parboiled rice (WARDA 16). Rice production along the Jama are river valley, Bauchi state has been ongoing for decades. Despite the government and the extension agencies intervention, documentation of production constraints and farmers needs, and effectiveness of agricultural technology information packages for rice production were limited. For example, farmers are constrained by inadequate farm inputs such as improved seeds (high yielding and disease resistant), high cost of agrochemicals, lack of appropriate fertilizers, inadequate knowledge/information for best rice production practices, processing and marketing (Singh et al 17). To increase production therefore, it is important to understand the farmers challenges in production and the bottlenecks associated with adoption of production technologies. The objectives of this study were therefore to (a). Evaluate the demographic, socio-economic, institutional characteristics of rice farmers in the study area, (b). Determine farmers assessment of effectiveness of the rice production technologies being transferred to them by agricultural extension agencies in the area and (c). Evaluate the farmers perception of the major challenges to rice production and marketing in the study area. Methodology The study area was comprised of four communities, Gadar-Maiwa, Zigau, Jama are and Katagum, representing major rice producing communities, located within the Jama are River Valley, in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Fadama rice cultivation is both a predominant livelihood activity and a tradition here. The average daily temperature range of between 2 o C and 3 o C during the day and between 1 o C and 20 o C at night. Rice farmers in the area are often organized in small groups and associations. Due to the preponderance of rice production activities in the area, purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the four communities studied. A total of 240 interview schedules were administered in relation to the proportion of households in each community. However, 200 were returned/found valid for statistical analysis. The households and respondents were identified and interviewed with help of the local extension agents. The interview schedules consisted of open and close ended questions.

3 Data collected covered demographic, economic and institutional variables, namely: age (years), sex, occupation, years of farming experience in rice production, level of education, farm size, household size, marital status, access to loan and extension contact of the respondents. Information on seed source, tillage methods, access to extension agents and participation in extension activities were also documented. The data collected was summarized and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Level of awareness of rice production technology was rated in percentage, while effectiveness of rice production technology packages was rated based on a four point Likert type rating scale, whereby: Very High (VH) = 4, High (H) =3, Low (L) =2, Very Low (VL) =1. The mean score was computed as = 10/4=2.0. Using the interval score of 0.0, the lower and upper cut-off limits were determined as 2.0 ± 0.0 and thus the lower limit as = 2.4 and the upper limit as = 2.. On the basis of this, mean scores (MS) below 2.4 (i.e. <2.4) were ranked as low, those between 2.4 and 2. were considered medium (i.e. 2.4 MS 2.), while the mean score greater than or equal to 2. (i.e. MS 2.) were considered as high. The study had two hypotheses, namely: a). there are no differences in the respondents socio-economic, demographic and institutional characteristics, and b). there are no differences in the respondents level of awareness of rice production technology packages. Results and Discussion The demographic variables investigated among the rice farmers are highlighted in Table 1. The findings show that 6% of respondents were married, while % are single. Most households had 4 to 6 individuals (%), followed by households with 7 to 10 (%). It can also be seen that a majority of the respondents were males (88%), while females constitute only 12%. This implies that rice production in the study areas is not balanced between the genders. The predominance of males in rice farming may not be unconnected with socio-cultural and religious values in the area, which emphasize women s roles as managers of the home-front rather than in outdoor activities such being engaged in full-time farming. However, there could be a possibility that both men and women are involved in production and processing. While gender has no significant negative influence on the rate of adoption of technologies in several development projects, it had been reported that gender has significant and positive influence on technology adoption for many others, (Ajijola, et al. 2012). In another study Kebbeh, et al (2003) reported that male children influence positively the adoption of new technology. About half of the respondents had no formal education, thus only half can read and write. As many as % of the respondents had Qur anic/primary school education, the larger proportion (6%) had secondary school education, about % have completed tertiary education, while 3% graduated from the university. This imply that the literate farmers are expected to be more efficient in combining resources, skills and knowledge gained through other media, than non-literate farmers. Further they will be better able to process information and search for appropriate technologies to alleviate their production constraints. The belief is that education gives farmers the ability to perceive, interpret and respond to new information much faster than their counterparts without education (Imolehin, 11b). More than half of the respondents had farming experience ranging from 6 to years (3%). Some 2% of them had between 1 and years, while the remaining 22% had above 12 years. The respondents wealth of farming experience should induce more willingness to adopt agricultural technology for increased productivity. A comparison of farmers educational attainment and experience (in years) implied that half of the farmers are literate and experienced, and the other half illiterate and experienced.

4 High proportion of the experienced farmers as found in this study is consistent with those reported by Obinne and Jojo (11) in cowpea. In addition, experienced farmers are better placed to acquire needed skills and technologies compared with inexperienced ones. In another study Sekondo (18) found that the number of years in farming influences adoption of new technologies. It is possible that the number of years of working in the farm develops technical knowhow which is useful on adoption. The Table further indicated that 76% of the respondents are in fulltime production, while those who combined rice production with other businesses and those involved in part-time farming accounted for 8% and 12% respectively. In terms of farm size, most of the rice farmers cultivated between 3 and 6 hectares, and are classified as small scale farmers. Our results mirrored those reported by Agwu and Anyanwu (16), they indicated that farmers in the northern savanna zone of Nigeria cultivate relatively larger hectares of land (for sorghum and cowpea) than their counterparts in south eastern Nigeria, with an average of about 1. hectares. Farm size is a factor that is often argued as important in affecting effectiveness and adoption decisions (Hardcastle, 1) It is frequently argued that large-scale farmers are more likely to adopt an improved technology (especially improved varieties) compared with those with small-scale farmers, as they can afford to devote part of their fields (sometimes the less productive parts) to try out improved technology. In some studies farm size has been found to have positive correlation with adoption of new technologies, Adesina and Zinnah (13), Gidado, A. S. (2003). Furthermore Table 1 indicates that most of the respondents (68%) source their seeds internally (from previous year s harvest), with shortfall purchased from local markets (23%) and farm centers (%). Many of the farmers had access to extension agents. The main extension agencies serving the study area were the National Fadama Development Program, the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), the State s Ministry of Agriculture and the Local Governments Agriculture and Natural Resources Departments. A majority (%) of the respondents rated the Fadama Program as the most effective, followed by the ADP (23%) and Ministry (1%) respectively. As Table 1 further illustrate, large proportions of the respondents were already adopters of animal traction (47%) and mechanized tillage (4%), compared to either manual (%) or zero tillage (4%) methods. It is common knowledge that as cost of fuel continue to rise the cost of hiring tractors in the country, is also likely to rise. As a result of which many farmers are likely to turn to animal traction technology. The Table indicated that 2% of the respondents acknowledged having contact with Fadama and ADP extension agents, more than those of Local Government. It can be seen that most of the farmers are using hired/borrowed farmlands (77%), some use family land are (%) while the rest use own land acquired through outright purchase (1%). Most of the farmers belong to at least one registered association. Participation in associations is likely to have a positive correlation with level of awareness, interest and adoption of new agricultural innovations. Therefore the higher the number of farmers associations registered the better the level of awareness and effectiveness of the extension package of the farmer (BSADP, 2000). Awareness of the rice production technologies was high and ranged from 8% to 100%, high percentages recorded for awareness of the rice production technology information is traceable to the importance and relevance of these technologies in rice production, these technologies are complementary and if any of the technologies is left out, the rice yield will be very low. Technology information such as timely spraying of chemicals for weeds and disease (blast), irrigation and fertilizer application all

5 recorded awareness levels of % to 100%. A high rate of awareness may stimulate effectiveness and adoption of these technologies by the clientele. The effectiveness rating of rice production technology information packages ranged between 3.28 and 4.3 (Table 2). Chemicals application for weeding and diseases recorded high mean score (4.00), which confirm the effectiveness of this technology among the respondents. This was followed by farm sanitation (4.00), use of pesticides (3.8) and improved varieties (3.82). This trend might be traced to the fact these technologies are very important determinants of rice yield and for disease management. Other technologies as spacing, fertilizer application, weed management and processing recorded a mean score above 3.00, and this showed their relevance in rice production. The use of fertilizer, farm sanitation, and close season recorded extremely high mean score indicating their effectiveness and may be associated with adoption of these technologies. Most of the respondents indicated that the application of fertilizers, farm sanitation, application of insecticides and close seasons could reduce the preponderance of insect pests and diseases. However, the cost involved in administering control is prohibitive. Thus preventive measures are emphasized by extension services. Rice production is constrained by diseases, high cost of labour and inputs (seeds, fertilizer agrochemical), they showed high mean score in excess of 3.84 (Table 3). In addition low price, adulteration and poor soil fertility showed prominence. Over production was least severe among variables investigated, and this implied that all farmers are able to dispose all the rice produced. Conclusion A major implication of the findings of this study is the need to intensify the provision of extension support services, especially appropriate rice technologies and best practices, to rice farmers in the study area. There is a need for a programme designed to build the capacity of these rice farmers, adapt and disseminate rice information throughout the area and develop and adapt rice varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases. Enhancing the farmers production and technical efficiency will stimulate increased production that will assist the present Federal Government transformation agenda in food production in Nigeria. References Imolehin, E. D. and Wada, A. C. (11) Meeting the rice production and consumption demands of Nigeria with improved technologies, National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, PMB 8, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria Ayotade, K.A. 11. Improvement of rice production in Nigeria 16 to 18 and beyond: Paper presented at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin Seminar, Ilorin, Nigeria, 2 May pp. Imolehin, E.D. (11a) Rice improvement and production in Nigeria. Paper presented at WARDA Upland Breeding Task-Force Workshop, Bouaké, Côte d'ivoire, 4 Oct. 11. Imolehin, E.D. (11b). Co-ordinated Rice Evaluation Trials (CRET) report WARDA (16) Rice trends in sub-saharan Africa: a synthesis of statistics on rice production, trade and consumption. UK, Sayce Publishing. Singh, B.N. et al (17) Rice growing environments and biophysical constraints in different agroecological zones of Nigeria. Met. J., 2(1): 3-44.

6 Ajijola S., Usman J. M., Egbetokun O. A, Akoun J. and Osalusi C. S. (2012) Appraisal of rice production in Nigeria: A case study of north central states of Nigeria, Journal of Stored Products and Postharvest Research Vol. 3(), pp Erenstein, O., Lançon, F., Osiname, O., and Kebbeh, M., Operationalising the strategic framework for rice sector revitalisation in Nigeria, Project report -The Nigerian Rice Economy In A Competitive World: Constraints, Opportunities And Strategic Choices. Abidjan: WARDA -The Africa Rice Centre. ii-38 pp. Obinne, C. P and Jojo, C.P (11). Adoption of improved cassava production technologies by small-scale farmers in Bendel State Journal of Agricultural science and Technology 1 (1): Sekondo, E.M.M., N.S.Y Mdoe, N Hatibu, H. Mahoo and J. Gowing (18). Factors influencing the adoption of rain water harvesting technologies in Western Pare lowlands of Tanzania, Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Science, 1 (1): Agwu, A. E., and Anyanwu, A.C (16). Socio cultural and environmental constraints in implementing the NALDA programme in south eastern Nigeria: A Case study of Abia and Enugu state, Journal of Agricultural Technology and Education, 1(2), Adesina, A., and Zinnah M. (13). Technology characteristics, farmers perceptions and adoption decisions; A Tobit model application in Sierra Leone, Agricultural Economics, :27-1. Gidado, A. S. (2003) Multivariate determinants of farmer and extension worker attitudes towards animal traction traction technology in Bauchi state, Ph. D. thesis (unpublished) Hardcastle, J.E.Y. (1) The Development of rice production and research in the Federation of Nigeria. Trop. Agric. (Trinidad), 36: 7-. Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (2000) Yearly Bulletin. Food Security ( Nigeria targets self-sufficiency in rice production (assets/publications-opinion files/382.pdf) Aug 16, 2001, :8 Rice production in Nigeria (

7 Appendix 1 Table 1: The respondents demographic and socio-economic characteristics (n=1) Variable Frequency Percentage (%) Sex Male Female Marital Status Single Married Farm size (Ha) Household size Level of Educational No formal education Primary/Quoranic education Secondary education Tertiary education Primary occupation Farming Civil servant and farming Business and farming Others Rice farming experience (yrs) Tillage methods Ox-drawn Tractor Manual ploughing Zero tillage Contact with extension agent Yes No Source of rice seed Previous year harvest

8 Open Market purchase Farm centres Contact with extension agents Daily Weekly Fortnightly Monthly Quarterly Yearly Type of Land Tenure Rent Inheritance Lease Purchase Membership of association Fadama Users Rice marketing Input cooperative Artisan/traders Source: Field survey

9 Appendix 2 Table 2: Effectiveness rating of rice production technologies by the respondents (n=1) Technology Very effective Effective Ineffective Very ineffective Mean score Close season 1 (4.00) Spacing 140 (2.81) 3(0.7) 20(0.20) Improved variety 186(3.74) 13(0.1) Fertilizer application 160(3.22) 3(1.) Use of insecticides 10(3.82) (0.13) Weed management 0(3.42) 2(0.43) Farm sanitation 18(4.00) 10(0.1) Processing 120(2.41) 36(0.4) 23(0.23) 20(0.10) 3.28 Source: Field survey 2003 Table 3 Rating of rice production constraints by the respondents (n=1) Variable Very severe Severe Less severe Not severe Mean score Rank Cost of inputs 166 (3.34) 33 (0.0) 0(0.00) 0 (0.00) Cost of labour 18 (3.78) 11(0.) 0 (0.00) 0 (0.00) 3. 2 Pests and diseases 200 (4.00) 0 (0.00) 0 (0.00) 0 (0.00) Soil fertility 76 (1.7) 32 (0.48) 1 (1.37) 0 (0.00) 3.42 Transportation 100 (2.01) 4 (0.82) 44 (0.44) 0 (0.00) 3.27 Price 16 (3.13) 43 (0.64) 0 (0.00) 0 (0.00) Storage 66 (1.46) 88 (1.47) 26 (0.2) 0 (0.00) 3.22 Over production 48 (0.6) 72(1.08) 7 (0.7) 0 (0.00) 2.83 Adulteration 110 (2.21) 68 (1.03) 21(0.21) 0 (0.00) 3.4 Source: Field survey 2003 Figure 1: Awareness of rice production technologies among the respondents