ASSESSEMENT OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND CONSTRAINTS OF RICE FARMERS IN YAMALTU-DEBA LGA, GOMBE STATE NIGERIA.

Abstract

Agricultural growth is essential for fostering economic development and feeding of the growing
populations. Increasing agriculture productivity will lead to an increase in incomes, reducing
poverty levels and improving the living conditions of rural communities. This paper aim to assess
the socioeconomic characteristics and challanges of rural rice farmers in Yamaltu-Deba LGA,
Gombe State Nigeria. The methodology used involved data collection from 351 farmers selected
by simple random sampling technique from five (5) wards, two (2) in Deba and three (3) in Yamaltu
emirate all in Yamaltu-Deba LGA using structured questionnaire and focus group discussion
(FGD). Descriptive statistics and Four-point Likert scale with a 2.5 mean decision rule were use
for data analysis. The result shows that the majority of the farmers were male (96%), married (77
%), and aged between 40-59 years. The level of education shows that most of the farmers (51.3%)
obtained Arabic education and with 6-10 years (27.6%) of farming experience. According to the
ranking of constraints faced by farmers on rice production, 92.9% of farmers strongly agreed that
the high cost of fertilizer ranks 1st, low capital (88.3%) ranks 2nd, and low access to credit ranks
3rd among the problems. The least important problems affecting rice farmers are insufficient
market, insufficient land, and inadequate storage which ranked 9th, 10th, and 11th position. High
cost of fertilizer, low capital and low access to credits were the major challenges facing rice
farmers in the study area. It was recommended that policies that would enhance farmers` access
to fertilizers, capital, credit facilities, improved seeds, herbicides, and land would likely enhance
rice production and reduce poverty levels among rice farmers in the study area and region at
large.