Factors affecting rice farming practices among farmers in Ogun and Niger states, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined factors affecting rice farming practices of rural farmers in Ogun and Niger States, Nigeria. Three hundred and twenty respondents were selected through multistage sampling procedure. Frequency distribution, percentages and mean, student's t-test and regression analysis were used for data. All analysis was done at 5% level of significance. There was a significant difference in the farm practices of the rice farmers in Niger and Ogun States (t = 8.39, p ≤0.05). Factor affecting rice farming practices was determinants of rice production output (β =-0.13, p ≤0.05). There was difference in the farming practices of rice farmers in Ogun and Niger States. Agricultural extension services, particularly, in Ogun State should expedite action in organizing training that can facilitate adoption of better farming practices in order to increase rice production and income generation for the rice farmers, while government and input suppliers should make fertilizers available and affordable.