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PRODUCTIVITY OF HUNGRY RICE (Digitaria exilis) IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
Abstract:
The study analyzed the productivity of hungry rice (acha) using data collected through structured questionnaire administered to 194 randomly selected acha farmers in Kaduna State. Data were analysed using the stochastic frontier production function, gross margin analysis and the t-test of significance. The maximum likelihood error estimates revealed a positive relationship between output and all inputs, statistically significant (P < 0.01). The magnitudes of the coefficients of the inputs showed that output was inelastic to farm size, labour, seed rate, fertilizer and agrochemicals. The return to scale coefficient (1.42) obtained indicate that the farmers were operating at increasing returns to scale, that is, stage one of the production. The technical efficiency of farmers revealed that farmers were fairly technically efficient (81%). 98% of the inefficiency was as a result of the selected variables (contact with extension agent, household size, level of education, off farm income, processing cost, harvesting cost, transportation cost and farm distance) which were significant at different levels (P<0.01, P<0.05 and P<0.10). Gross margin of N27, 920.59, Gross ratio of 55%, profit margin of 45% and a return on investment of 1.81 were obtained as profitability measures, implying that for every N1 invested in acha production, a profit of 81 kobo was made. Most important constraints faced by farmers include high cost of labour, inadequate capital and high cost of inputs. The study recommends increase in the provision of extension services and training on correct input application and improved farming technologies to increase acha productivity; continuous increase in the use of the production inputs; and also suggests the need to develop good roads so as to reduce transportation costs, provide good social amenities and market infrastructure to reduce urban drift of youths who are the major source of labour in the study area.
PRODUCTIVITY OF HUNGRY RICE (Digitaria exilis) IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
