Socio-economic analysis of rice farmers’ uptake of improved seeds for enhancing wellbeing in Wushishi community in Niger State, Nigeria. In: Kolawole Adebayo (ed). Rural Social Protection and Interventions in Nigeria.

Abstract

The study analyzed the socioeconomic characteristics affecting rice farmers uptake of improved seeds for enhanced wellbeing in wushishi community in Niger state. data were collected through interview schedule and well structured questionnaire from 90 respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools. The results shows that 34.4% of the respondents were between the age ranges of 41-50 years. Most (93.5%) of the the respondents had one form of education or others. Furthermore, 77.8% had farming experience between 1-10 years. Majority of the respondents (73.4%) were small-scale rice farmers cultivating 1.51-2.50 hectares. Majority (77.8%) of the farmers obtained information about improved rice seeds from other farmers. Uptake of improved rice seeds significantly affected the respondents sociological wellbeing in the areas of increased rice production (X=4.63) and ability to send more children to school (X=4.62). the most adopted improved rice seeds were Faro 52 and Faro 44 (SIPI). It is recommended that alternative extension services be provided to rice farmers to improve their uptake of improved seeds and there is need to subsidize farm inputs to farmers for convenient uptake of improved rice seeds for enhance wellbeing. Variables that influenced the uptake of improved rice seeds were age (-110), family size (-0.75), farming experience (0.071) and access to extension agent (-1.602) which had significant relationship with improved rice seeds uptake.