ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES UTILIZATION AND PRODUCTIVITY AMONG RICE FARMERS IN SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study examined Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices Utilization and productivity among rice farmers in the Southern Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The sample size used for the study was 180 farmers. The results showed that rice farming is dominated by males (75.0%) with a mean age of 49 years, mean household size of 8 persons, and mean farm size of 2 ha. About 63.9% had access to extension services, while 91.7% had formal education. Major CSA practices utilized included organic fertilizer (97.2%; WMS = 4.46), and improved seeds (81.7%; WMS = 4.00).  The results on the multiple linear regression model showed that improved crop variety (β = 440.619), mulching (β = 10.106), organic manure (β = 0.750), and use of weather information (β = 180.941) were all positively related to rice output and statistically significant at the 1 percent level. However, major constraints included high input cost (WMS = 4.00), limited credit access (WMS = 3.68), and poor infrastructure (WMS = 3.43). The study recommends input subsidies, improved credit access, and better rural infrastructure to enhance CSA adoption.