ECONOMICS OF RICE PRODUCTION IN SELECTED LGAs OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the economics of rice production in Selected LGAs of Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 92 rice farmers for the study. Data were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and farm budgeting model. The study revealed that most of the rice farmers were in their active ages with a mean age of 40 years. The result also revealed that majority (91.3%) of the respondents were male. The channels which rice flows in the study area was shown with a value chain map and revealed the different channels of the rice flow in the study. Result of the budgeting model reveal the total cost, net farm income and returns per naira invested as N254, 907, N235,603 and 0.92 kobo respectively. Rice production was found to be profitable in the study area. The study h o w e v e r revealed that the major constraints to rice production in the study area where high cost of fertilizer, insufficient capital and cost of labour. The study therefore, recommended among others, Provision of necessary inputs (fertilizer,agro-chemicals, and improved seeds among others) and easy accessibility of loans to farmers.