ANALYSIS OF UTILIZATION OF THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION INNOVATION SMART PRACTICES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN NORTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the utilization of SRI innovation practices among smallholder farmers in North-west, Nigeria. A 3-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 315 respondents for the study, using structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The result shows that majority are males (91.7%), married (75.0%), with secondary education (66.7%). Average age of 32 years, farming experience of 11 years, monthly income of N30, 637.51k, farm size of 7.0 hectares and household-size of 5 persons. No presence of extension-services (91.7%). Main sources of information on SRI practices are fellow-farmers (45.3%), field-demonstration (16.2%) and contact-farmers (11.7%). The respondents used all the examined SRI innovation smart components (=1.527-1.743). extent of utilization indicated that majority (79.4%) agreed that they very much used the SRI innovation components. Respondents perceived severe to very severe constraints to utilization of SRI smart practices (=3.19-3.45) with constraint index of =3.21. It was recommended that other sources of information on SRI smart practices be instituted, employed and used to improve the information and knowledge sources on SRI smart practices. With the increased information sources, extent of utilization can be more enhanced for food security. Most severe constraints to SRI utilization be examined and mitigated by development partners, stakeholders in rice production, extension agents and solving matter specialists with periodic capacity-building training on climate-change variability and mitigation measures.