Digitaria Exilis) in SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS of KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

PRODUCTIVITY OF HUNGRY RICE (Digitaria exilis) IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.

Kalat Patience DUNIYA (M.Sc./AGRIC/1326/2009-2010)

A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL SOCIOLOGY FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA

FEBRUARY, 2014

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this Thesis entitled “Productivity of Hungry Rice (Digitaria exilis) in Selected Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria” has been written by me and it is a record of my research work. It has not been presented in any previous application for another degree or diploma at any institution. All borrowed ideas have been duly acknowledged in the text and a list of references provided.

______Kalat Patience DUNIYA Date Student

CERTIFICATION

This Thesis, entitled “Analysis of the Productivity of Hungry Rice (Digitaria exilis) in Selected Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria” by Kalat Patience

Duniya meets the regulations governing the award of the Degree of Master of Science

(M.Sc.) in Agricultural Economics of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and is approved for its contribution to knowledge and literary presentation.

______Dr M. A. Damisa Date Chairman, Supervisory Committee

______Prof. Z. Abdulsalam Date Member, Supervisory Committee

______Prof. Z. Abdulsalam Date Head, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology

______Prof. A. A. Joshua Date Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

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DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated to the Almighty God, to my parents: Elisha and Rifkatu

Duniya and to my siblings: Elizabeth, Lydia, Samuel, Buli and Kuzangka for their affection, love and dedicated partnership in the success of my life.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am very grateful to the Almighty God for His provision, strength and guidance throughout the period of my study, thank you Jesus.

I wish to express my profound gratitude to members of my supervisory committee,

Dr. M.A. Damisa and Prof. Z. Abdulsalam, for their painstaking guidance throughout the course of this research. I am indebted to Prof. T.K. Atala, Prof. S. A. Rahman,

Prof. R. A. Omolehin, Prof. J. G. Akpoko and all the staff of the Department of

Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology for their support and encouragement in various ways throughout the period. Prof. G. E. Battesse, thank you for your contribution to this research.

I will like to say thank you to the families of Professor and Mrs. J. Buhari, Mr. and

Mrs. Ishaku Kozah and Mr. and Mrs. Ninat B. Shekari for their consistent advice and support. I am seriously indebted to Grace Bassa, my staying with you was worthwhile and it made my studying period pleasant. I will not forget Baba Jolly Nairi and Baba

Kyari; you were good fathers to me. God bless you immensely.

For your endurance, understanding and encouragement, I am especially grateful to my father, Mr Elisha M. Duniya (JP), my mother, Mrs. Rikatu E. Duniya (JP), my grandfather, Baba Musa Kozah. My beloved brothers, Hon. Simon and Engr. Samuel and my beloved sisters, Elizabeth, Lydia, Buli and Kuzangka, I say a lot of thanks to you, God bless you all.

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the productivity of hungry rice (acha) using data collected through structured questionnaire administered to 194 randomly selected acha farmers in Kaduna State. Data were analysed using the stochastic frontier production function, gross margin analysis and the t-test of significance. The maximum likelihood err