Farmers’ utilization of improved rice production technologies in ebonyi state, nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed farmers’ utilization of improved rice production technologies in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used in the selection of 140 respondents for the study who were administered with a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean scores, and inferential statistics of principal factor analysis. The study shows that farmers are highly aware of existing improved rice production technologies. The most utilized rice production technologies by farmers in the area include use of improved rice varieties (), fertilizer application (), use of agrochemicals (), modern rice milling equipment () and timely transplanting and use of standard depths and spaces (). The major constraints to farmers’ utilization of improved rice production technologies in the study area are administrative, individual, environmental, financial and technical constraints. The study recommends that extension organisations should rejig their extension delivery system to ensure timely dissemination of information on improved rice production technologies to farmers; and farmers should organize themselves into cooperative organization to enhance their access to credit for procurement of modern rice storage and processing facilities.