Factors Influencing Farmers’ Participation in System of Rice Intensification in Bakolori Irrigation Scheme, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the socio-economic and institutional factors influencing rice farmers’ participation in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Bakolori Irrigation Scheme, Zamfara State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and eighty rice farmers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Tobit Regression were used to analyse the study. The results showed that the majority (92%) of the rice farmers were males, 86% were married, and 62% had less than one (1) hectare of land. While 67.4% of them had extension visits in a year and majority (96.6%) had no access to credit. The result also showed that the majority (86%) of the rice farmers participated in all the SRI practice demonstrations. The result of Tobit regression showed that age (0.014), farm size (0.016), farming experience (0.032) and extension visit were determinants of farmers’ level of participation in SRI practices at 5%. It was concluded that age, farm size, farming experience, and extension visits had an influence on farmers’ participation in the five SRI practices. It was recommended that there is a need for more extension activities in the study area and farmers acquire more land for improved productivity.