ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTIVITY OF RICE FARMERS IN JERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analysed the productivity of rice farmers in Jere Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria. Jere LGA was purposively selected due to concentration and availability of rice farmers. A simple random sampling technique was applied to select 50 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Total Factor Productivity (TFP) model. The findings revealed that the respondents were mostly male (88%) and within the age group of 20-49 years. The result show that majority of the rice farmers were married (58%) and 32 % of the rice farmers had secondary education. The total factor productivity model showed an output growth rate of 0.03%/ha. Major constraints affecting rice production in the area include: labour cost; lack of credit facilities; pest and diseases; and market accessibility. The study concluded that rice production in the study area is productive with a TFP growth rate of 0.03%/ha. The study therefore, recommends that Governments’ policies should be designed to ensure adequate supply of farming inputs such as improved seeds and fertilizers in good quantity and quality at subsidized rate to younger farmers to encourage them as they form majority of rice farmers.