AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
Abstract
The study examined the determinants of the productivity of rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A
multistage sampling technique was used to select 240 rice entrepreneurs for the study. Primary data
were collected using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using frequency distribution,
percentages, means, total factor productivity (TFP) index, and ordinary Least Square regression
model. The results showed that the average age, farming experience, household size, farm size,
savings, non-farm income, annual farm income and the mean quantity harvested of rice of the
respondents were 48.2 years, 21.4 years, 6.68 persons, 2.37 hectares, N94,741.94.00, N127,484.85.00,
N447,244.64.00 and 609.99Kg respectively. The rice entrepreneurs were mostly married while 47.9%
had up to secondary level of education. The productivity of rice entrepreneurs was low. Age(P<0.01),
education (P<0.05), farming experience (P<0.01) and farm size (P<0.01) were the factors
influencing the productivity of the farmers. The study recommended that the government, nongovernmental
organizations and financial institutions should launch loan programmes with low
interest rates to help rice farmers buy the necessary tools and inputs to improve their productivity.