Abstract

Rice production has not been able to meet the consumption demand of the rapidly growing population. Hence, this study examined the various constraints encountered by rice farmers in rice production in five LGAs in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. Data were obtained through structured questionnaire administered to 100 randomly selected rice farmers from the study area. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of the respondents were within the age bracket of 46-55 years (56.0%), male (94.0%). married (92.0%) and Muslims (52.0%). Forty-six percent had between 4-6 persons in their household, 58.0% had farm size of more than I ha and 56.0% had formal education. Respondents accessed inputs such as seed (80.0%) and fertilizer (80.0%), herbicides (78.0%) from extension agents and agro-allied input dealers. There is restriction to fertilizer (100.0%) and herbicides (100.0%) accessibility, however, seeds (80.0%), labour (100.0%) and land (84.0%) were easily accessible. Majority market their rice on farm (88.0%) and to wholesalers (78.0%). Major production constraints were Quelea birds problem (98.0%), inadequate credit facilities (98.0%), high cost of inputs (96.0%), flood/water logging (80.0%) and pests/diseases (86.0%); processing constraints include high cost of processing equipment (98.0%), low quality of rice produced (98.0%) and breakdown of machine (96.0%); marketing constraints were poor road network (100.0%), poor trade policies (92.0%) and high transportation cost (84.0%); storage constraints include pest infestation (100.0%), poor storage facilities (96.0%) and high cost of storage chemicals (84.0%). It is therefore pertinent for both government and non-government organisations to help in formulating policies that will bring constraints to rice production to the barest minimum.

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