Rice Yield of Rural Household of Niger State of Nigeria

Abstract

Rice yield per hectare in Nigeria compared to her neighboring countries is low, given the ecological and economic advantages. Nigeria’s rice yield should be seen in line with other developing countries such as Egypt and China. Based on a recent survey carried out 2012/2013, a sample size of 164 farm household was selected in Niger State, using an econometric analysis of Cobb-Douglas production function this paper examines factors that contribute significantly to the rice yield in rural household. The explanatory variable labor is categorized into seven stages of rice growth cycle to capture the essential labor usage. The result of the analysis reveals following significant factors; pesticide, fertilizer and irrigation having coefficient of 0.03, 0.05 and 0.15 respectively. Labor used during seedling relates positive while the number of labor used during tillering stage shows otherwise. Negatively related to yield also include flood and outside job. A trained, older farmer with farmer whose major crop is rice depicts a positive relationship with yield. These findings have useful information to investment priorities on how to stimulate rice production explained by yield.