Effects of Paddy Rice Production on the Welfare of Farmers And The Determinants of the Achievements of Paddy Rice Farmers In Niger Delta Region Of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effect of paddy rice production on the welfare of farmers and the determinants of the achievements of paddy rice farmers 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 result highlighted some of the achievements farmers gained in producing rice like; source of regular income, easy feeding and clothing, ability to train children in school, among others which are all instruments of poverty eradication and sustainable rural development. The result also showed that household size, household income per adult equivalent; micro credit and yield have positive relationship with the welfare of farmers meaning that increase in each one of them leads to increase or improvement in the welfare of farmers. It was concluded that paddy rice production has positive effect on the welfare of famers in the study area. It was recommended that: farmers should be encouraged to form co – operatives amongst themselves also farmers should be taught, encouraged and empowered to source for high yielding seeds for use in their production.

KEYWORDS: Welfare, Achievement, Determinants, Regression, Paddy Rice, Niger Delta.