CONSTRAINTS TO EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SMALL SCALE DRY SEASON RICE PRODUCTION BY RURAL FARMERS OF GOMBE STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the constraints to effective participation in small-scale dry season rice production by rural farmers of Gombe State Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select 357 respondents from eighteen villages for their popularity in the dry season rice production. Data were collected from primary sources using structured questionnaires supported with oral interview and then subjected to descriptive statistics such as the; frequency distribution, tables, mean percentage and Garrett’s ranking technique for analysis. The results revealed a wide range of production constraints, and thus, out of the fifteen identified major constraints to dry season rice farming in Gombe State, the inadequate capital and credit sources were the most critical issue, ranked the first having 86 Garrett’s mean score with 3.33% position. Moreover, rice farmers have identified other constraints affecting dry season rice farming in the following Garrett’s rank order as; high costs of input resources (2^nd) with 10.0% position; inadequate extension contact (3^rd) with 16.67% position; crop pest and diseases (4^th) with 23.33%; land fragmentation (5^th) having 30.0% position; inadequate farm machinery (6^th) with 36.67% position; inadequate improved seeds/planting materials (7^th) with 43.33% position;, hike in transportation costs (8^th) having 50.0% position. Moreover, the poor processing/storage facilities (56.67%), low market prices of paddy rice (63.33%), high cost of hired labour (70.0%), depletion of soil fertility (76.67%), incessant security challenges (83.33%), Natural disaster/climate change (90.0%), and as well as inadequate irrigation water (96.67%) were among the constraints to effective participation in the dry season rice production in the study area. This implies that, small-scale dry season rice farmers are faced with multidimensional problems. The study therefore, recommends holistic approach involving government and non-governmental agencies should be employed to tackle the identified challenges so as to improve productivity and general well-being of the farmers.