ACCEPTABILITY OF IMPROVED UPLAND RICE PRODUCTION PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS IN BALANGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated acceptability of improved upland rice production practices among farmers in Balanga local government area of Gombe State, Nigeria. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to determine the sample of the study. Primary data were collected from 154 samples of rice farmers through the use of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, means and adoption index were used to achieve objectives of this study. The study revealed that farmers in the study area have an average age of 36 years and 1.8 ha of farm size which implies that farmers were young and smallholders. The result further showed that the level at which farmers accepts upland rice production practices was low (3.9%). It was recommended that public and private extension services should be provided by agricultural stakeholders in the area. Also, young farmers should be motivated to form cooperative societies for easy access to farm inputs such as fertilizer, agro-chemicals.