Determinants of Sustainability of Paddy Rice Production in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the determinants of sustainability of paddy rice production in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 300 rice farmers from three states out of the nine states in the region based on their strength in rice production Data were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used in the study. The field results showed that, only two variables, sex and age were inversely proportional to sustainability while others; total household size, farm size, seed input, hired labor and fertilizer application were directly proportional to sustainability which implied that the higher the values of these variables the higher the sustainability level of farmers production system in the study area, It was concluded that rice production is highly sustainable in the area and that farmers should be encouraged by extension agents to use more of internal inputs to improve their sustainability through constant visitation and evaluation of their farm activities.

Keywords: Sustainability, Determinants, Paddy Rice Production, Niger Delta.