CONSTRAINTS FACED BY RICE FARMERS OF FADAMA III ADDITIONAL FINANCING (AF1) BENEFICIARIES IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed the constraints faced by rice farmers of Fadama III additional financing (AF1) beneficiaries in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; identified the types of advisory services and input support offered to the respondents; assessed the utilization of advisory services and input support offered to the respondents; determined the factors influencing the utilization of advisory services and input support by the respondents and identified the constraints of the respondents in the study area. Primary data were mainly used, and were collected through the administration of questionnaire to 150 randomly selected rice cluster farmers under Fadama III AF1 in Fufore, Numan and Yola South Local Government Areas. Descriptive statistics, rating scale and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The result revealed that male rice farmers were the majority (93.2%) with mean age of 49.3 years. Majority (95.2%) of them were married with mean farming experience of 19.7 years and house hold size of 12.1 persons. Majority (68.5%) were literates. Some of the advisory services offered were, market information, improved method of weed control, use of improved varieties, application of appropriate fertilizer, recommended seed rate and mechanical land preparation. Inputs support offered were improved seeds, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, power tiller, milling machines and manual rice harvester. The advisory services and input support offered were highly utilized. Age, education, farming experience, off-farm income and farm income were the factors influencing the utilization of advisory services.