Optimizing the Output of Rice Farmers in Niger and Nassarawa States, Nigeria

Öz

This research study focused on optimizing the output of rice farmers in Niger and Nassarawa States, Nigeria. The study collected primary data from 180 rice farmers utilizing structured questionnaires. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the farm specific and farmers features of rice production, optimize and determine the input factors (farm size, labour, fertilizer, agrochemicals, seeds) affecting output of rice producers, evaluate the socio-economic factors affecting the technical inefficiency of rice producers and determine the technical efficiency scores of rice producers. The analytical tools used to achieve the objectives were stochastic production efficiency frontier model (SPEFM), return to scale (RTS), elasticity of production model (EP) and t-Test of difference between means. The findings revealed that rice production generates profits and demonstrated a substantial financial difference between cost and returns. Production elasticity showed a positive result for all farm inputs including farm size, labour, fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds and as a result, these inputs boost output levels. A proportional increase in input resources results in more than a proportional increase in output at a return to scale ratio of 1.020 in the rice farming operation. The analysis reveals that farm size with combined seeds and fertilizers stands as the significant and primary production factors for rice but actual production efficiency depends mainly on the education level, farm experience and cooperative standing of the producers. Rice productivity will increase through better access to productive inputs combined with available land improvements and financial assistance. The paper suggests policy solutions which support both efficient resource management and technical training initiatives to enhance farmers' output levels.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Optimizing
• Output
• Rice Producers
• Stochastic Production Frontier
• Return to Scale
• Nigeria.

Kaynakça

1. Abbas, A. M., Agada, I. G., & Kolade, O. (2018). Impacts of rice importation on Nigeria’s economy. Journal of Scientific Agriculture, 2(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.25081/jsa.2018.v2.901
2. Adejoh, E. U., Ojeleye, O. A., Ahmed, B., & Maiangwa, M. G. (2018). Determinants of technical efficiency in rice production under the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 14(1), 1-9. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jagrenv /article/view/235838
3. Alabi, O.O., Oladele, A.O., & Maharazu, I. (2022). Economies of Scale and Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Pepper (Capsicum species) Production in Abuja, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Belgrade), 67 (1), 63 – 82. https://doi.org/10.2298/JAS2201063A.
4. Asfaw, D.M (2021). Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Tomato Producers in Asaita District, Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia. PLOS ONE, 16(9): e0257366. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0257366
5. Bala, J., Hauwa, A. Y., & Musa, Y. M. (2020). Impact of adoption of the new rice for Africa 1 on farmers’ yield of in Gombe State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 24(4), 72-81. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jae.v24i4.8
6. Bello, I. M., Sanni, A., & Oladimeji, Y. (2021). Effects of agricultural policies on rice production in Nigeria: A case study of government interventions. International Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 9(1), 65-79.
7. CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria). (2021). Annual report on agricultural financing programs. Abuja, Nigeria: Central Bank of Nigeria.
8. Edeoghon, C. O. (2017). Economic empowerment of urban farmers in Benin Metropolis. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, 10 (3), 1 – 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.9790/2380-1003020107

9. Esiobu, N. S. (2020). Does the Incidence of COVID-19 pandemic affect rice yield? Lessons from Southeast Nigeria. In Recent advances in rice research. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93744
10. Eze, P.C., Musa, J.J., Onyekwere, I.N., & Balogun, I. A (2020). Effect of Rice Husk Residue on Maize in Minna, Nigeria. The Journal of Research, ANGRAU, 48 (4), 21 – 26. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/TJRA/issue/view/3658
11. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). (2022). Rice production trends in Africa: Challenges and opportunities. Rome, Italy: FAO Publications.
12. FAO. (2020). The state of food and agriculture: Smallholder farmers and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
13. Izekor, O. B., & Alufohai, G. O. (2014). Production elasticities, return to scale and allocative efficiency in yam production in Edo State, Nigeria. Agrosearch, 14(2), 179-190. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/agrosh.v14i2.1
14. Kadiri, F. A., Eze, C. C., Orebiyi, J. S., & Henri–Ukoha, A. (2014). Economic analysis of paddy rice production in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 4(12), 541-550. https://archive.aessweb.com/index.php/5005/article/view/1284
15. Kamai, N., Omoigui, L. O., Kamara, A. Y., & Ekeleme, F. (2020). Guide to Rice Production in Northern Nigeria. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, 35pp.
16. Lin, B., Wang, X., Jin, S., Yang, W., & Li, H. (2022). Impacts of cooperative membership on rice productivity: Evidence from China. World Development, 150, 105669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105669
17. Linn, T., & Maenhout, B. (2019). Measuring the efficiency of rice production in Myanmar using data envelopment analysis. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 16(2), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.37801/ajad2019.16.2.1
18. Merem, E. C., Twumasi, Y., Wesley, J., Isokpehi, P., Shenge, M., Fageir, S., ... & Nwagboso, E. (2017). Analyzing Rice production issues in the Niger State Area of Nigeria’s middle Belt. Food and Public Health, 7(1), 7-22. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.fph.20170701.02
19. Mohammed, U. A., Ibrahim, S., Hayatu, M., & Mohammed, F. A. (2019). Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in Nigeria: challenges and prospects. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 5(2), 29-37.
20. Mwalyagile, N., Jeckoniah, J. N., & Salanga, R. J. (2024). Gender differences in rice production participation among smallholder farmers in small-scale irrigation schemes in mbarali district, Tanzania. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 18, 101390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101390
21. Nwahia, O. C. (2020). Analysis of the cost and economic returns in rice production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Research, 3(3), 205-214. https://doi.org/10.32734/injar.v3i3.4912
22. Obianefo, C. A., Ezeano, I. C., Isibor, C. A., & Ahaneku, C. E. (2023). Technology Gap Efficiency of Small-Scale Rice Processors in Anambra State, Nigeria. Sustainability, 15(6), 4840. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064840
23. Okodua, H. (2017). Assessing the impact of rice sector policy reforms on the income mobility of rural households in Nigeria. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874331501812010174
24. Oluleye, D., Anthony,L., Ukaoha,C.L., Alabi,O.O., Njoku,V.O., and Ajibare,D.B (2022). Technical Efficiency of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) Production in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences 4 (5): 120 – 127. http://dx.doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2022.4.5.550
25. Oluleye, D.O., Alabi, O.O., Bayei, J.D., Isah, H., Aluwong, J.S., Atteh, P.A., Okoh, S.O., Olawoye, T.,Olajide, O.R., Olumuyiwa, B.A., and Haruna, O.E (2024). Economic Efficiency and Profitability Analysis of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Sciences - Agricultural University Plovdiv 16(41): 98 – 109. https://doi.org/10.22620/agrisci.2024.41.009
26. Omotilewa, O. J., Jayne, T. S., Muyanga, M., Aromolaran, A. B., Liverpool-Tasie, L. S. O., & Awokuse, T. (2021). A revisit of farm size and productivity: Empirical evidence from a wide range of farm sizes in Nigeria. World development, 146, 105592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105592
27. Tijani, B. A., Benisheik, K. M., Mustapha, A. B., & Dangaladima, W. (2010). Analysis of factors influencing labour supplied to non-farm sub-sector by households in Mubi North local government area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 18(1), 6-18. https://doi.org/10.4314/njbas.v18i1.56839
28. Ukwuaba, I. C., Owutuamor, Z. B., & Ogbu, C. C. (2020). Assessment of agricultural credit sources and accessibility in Nigeria. Review of Agricultural and Applied Economics (RAAE), 23(2), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.308396
29. Yamane, T. (1967). ‘Statistics: An Introductory Analysis’, 2nd Edition., New York: Harper and Row. Pp. 33-50.