FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY OF CROP FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Niger State has the largest landmass in Nigeria.  With 8.6 million hectares of land which represents about 9.3% of the total landmass of Nigeria, the state experiences distinct dry and wet seasons with annual rainfall varying from 1,100 mm (120 days) in the northern part to 1,600 mm (150 days) in the southern part. The vegetation, soil and weather patterns are favourable to produce a wide spectrum of food and cash crops of various types. The major crops grown in the State include rice, maize, millet, sorghum, yam, potato, soybean, groundnut, cashew, benniseed and cassava. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the factors militating against agricultural productivity of farmers in production of crops in the state. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study purposes. Descriptive statistics was used on sample of 360 crop farmers. Findings from the study indicates that fertiliser, herbicides, labour, late onset rains and high interest rates are the factors militating against the production of food crops in Niger State.  The study thus concluded that, the application of inappropriate agronomic practices such as untimely planting, incorrect plant spacing, wrong method of planting, poor sowing depth, delayed weeding, ineffective pest and disease control, inappropriate use of fertilizers, untimely harvesting, use of low yielding varieties and inconsistent rainfall patterns, will always significantly reduce crop yields.