RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN RAIN-FED PADDY RICE PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF DONGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined resource use efficiency in rain-fed paddy rice production in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State. A total of 106 rice farmers were randomly selected for the study.  Data was collected through the use of a questionnaire.  Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.  The result showed a mean age of 38 years for rice farmers.   About 73.8% of the respondents were males and, 71.7% were married with a mean household size of 12 persons per household.  Majority (73.8%) had at least primary education and 96.2% had no contact with extension agent.  An R² of 0.76 implied that 76% variations in yield were accounted for by the explanatory variables included in the regression model.   Farm size was not significant at P≤0.01, while seed quantity, fertilizer and labour were significant at P≤0.01. Rate of technical substitution (RTS) of 0.70 was obtained, indicating that rice production was at stage II. Seed quantity (0.67) and labour (0.15) were over utilized with each having a less than one resource use efficiency ratio. High cost of fertilizers, high cost of hired labour and inadequate extension contact ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively, among the constraints to paddy rice production. Therefore, it was concluded that rice farmers had favourable socioeconomic characteristics, but were not efficient in the use of resources.  It was   recommended that necessary inputs (at affordable prices) and extension services should be made available and adequate to rice farmers in order to optimize rice production.