Conference Proceedings of The 18" Annual Nation~/ Conference of The }/ig~rian 1ssociation OfAgricultural Economists Held At Federal University ofAgnculture, Abeokuta, Nigena /(/ - 19th October, 2017, -·- ASSESSMENT OF LAND TILLAGE PRACTICES AND RELATED PROBLEMS AMONG RICE FARMERS IN AGRICULTURAL ZONE I, NIGER STATE 1 2 3 4 Madu Ali Bwala , S. A. Tiamiyu , S. Adedeji and Alhaji Y. Kolo l.3.4Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State 2National Cereals Research Institute Bida, Niger State *CORRESPONDENCE E-MAIL: [email protected], Telephone: 08030465015 ABSTRACT This study assessed land related problems observed by rice farmers in Zone C agricultural zone of Niger state. A simple random sampling method was'used to draw respondents for the study. Information pertaining to observed land related problems on-farm was elicited through a well - structured questionnaire. Furthermore, simple descriptive statistics was utilized for the analysis of data. The study observed manual (40.8%), motorized (56.7%) and zero (2.5%) tillage as land management technology used by the farmers in the cultivation of rice in the area. Findings revealed that loss of nutrients and low water infiltration were problems most of the sampled farmers are experiencing on their farm lands; while induced erosion (10%) and insect pest attack (8.33%) were also reported as problems observed on the farm. Farmers in the study area ascribed the problems observed on their farm lands to tilling of the ground. Based on the data collected, the study therefore concluded that land related problems are evident among rice farmers in Zone C agricultural zone of Niger State. As a recommendation, the study therefore, calls for a balance between to-till or no-till for a sustainable agricultural environment to be achieved. Furthermore, the association of tillage methods and land related problems need to be further investigated in the area. KEYWORDS: Land tillage, rice farming, tillage methods and problems INTRODUCTION Land being an important component ofthe farming activity requires an efficient and sustainable management system (Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2013). The onus of management lies mainly in the technologies :1, ailable and the disposition of the farmer towards the sustainability of the farming enterprise (Arie et. al, 2012)°. Land tillage system adopted by the farmer determines to a large extent, the level to which crops cultivated thrive (Theodor and Amir, 2012). Therefore, the cultivation of crops requires tilling the ground for the full potential of the crop to be achieved. However, whatever the land tillage method employed by the farmer for the cultivation of any crop, there are both positive and negative consequences. Such negative outcomes could be observed in the activity of pests on the crops and also land degradation related issues (FAO, 2011, Sundstrom, et. al. 2014). Rice is an imp01tant staple crop in the food basket of the Nigerian households. It therefore, ·implies that the cultivation of the crop is an alternative towards ensuring both food and nutrient security in the country. The cultivation of the rice crop in Nigeria is mainly at the subsistence level for now. In line with agricultural development policies, Government and Non­ Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have in one way or the other executed programmes to facilitate the improvement of rice cultivation and output (Nigel and Buckley, 2006). Furthermore, it is on record that farmers have embraced the cultivation of rice crop as a cash crop, this ~-because the crop attracts a good price both as paddy and processed. 1 Coonkrcnce Proceedings of The 18 ,. Annual National Conference of the Nigeria Association Of The Nigerian Agricultural 522 Economists Held at federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria 16th - 19th October. 201 7. ' Assessment OfLand Tillage Practices And Related Problems Among Rice Farmers In Agricultural Zone I, Niger State In as much as the rice crop attracts a good price consequent of Government policy, there are factors that promote its cultivation and also those that militate against it (Bwala, et. al. 2014); among which are the tillage problems associated with the tillage system adopted by the farmer. The study identifies the land tillage problems experienced by farmers in Agricultural Zone C of Niger State. METHODOLOGY The study was carried out in Agricultural Zone I of Niger State. The Zone constitutes eight (8) Local Government Areas: This includes Lapai, Agaie, Katcha, Bida, Gbako, Lavun, Edati and Mokwa Local Government Areas. The Zone is well known for the cultivation of rice, however, the inadequacy of farm implements for effective production is a challenge. Data and Sampling method Data used for the study was collected using scheduled interview method with the aid of structured questionnaire. Random sampling techniques were utilized to draw 120 respondents for the study. Analytical technique Descriptive statistics such as percentages and central tendencies were used to analyse data collected. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Age group of Rice Farmers From the observations, a large percentage of the farmers (38.3%) are aged between 36-45 years; while about 28.3% of the respondents are aged between 46-55 years. The mean age of the rice farmers in the study area was observed to be between 36-45 years (Table I). This implies that majority of the farmers are within their active stage oflife, hence their productivity could be at its peak. This finding is corroborated by the work of Kadiri et. al. (2014) who reported that the age of farm families in their study area to be between 25-50 years; one economic implication of this finding is that the respondents are within the active and productive stage of life. Furthermore, one advantage of being in this age range might be that credit institutions might be disposed to give loan facility to farmers within this age group due to possible lower risks. , Table 1: Distribution of respondents According to Age Age (year) Frequency Percentage S 25.0 2 1.7 26-35 21 17.5 36-45 46 38.3 46-55 34 28.3 56-65 11 9.2 66:s 6 5.0 Total 120 100.0 Source: Field Survey, 2016 Level of Education An educated farmer is expected to be disposed to the adoption of new technologies that have the tendencies of improving agricultural production. Observations show that 26. 7% of the farmers had secondary education while those with Non-formal education were about 20.9%. Furthermore, about 20.8%, 16. 7% and 15% of the respondent had primary, adult education and tertiary education, respectively. Considering the statistics as a whole show that about 79.2% of the rice farmers are educated. The level of education attained by the rice farmers will not only raise agricultural performance but also widen the perspective of the farmers to evaluate and Coonference Proceedings of The 18"' Annual National Conference of the Nigeria Association Of The Nigerian Agricultural 523 Economists Held at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria I 6'h - I 9'h October, 2017. Assessment Of Land Tillage Practices And Related Problems Among Rice Farmers In Agricultural Zone I, Niger Srm" understand information on new techniques and processes being disseminated through extension agent (Bwala and Tiamiyu, 2015). Table2: Distribution of respondent according to type of educational Educational level Frequency Percentage Adult-education 20 16. 7 N-F/ Education 25 20.9 Primary 25 20.8 Secondary 32 26. 7 Tertiary 18 15.0 Total 120 100.0 Sources: Field survey, 2016 Tillage Technology Used by Rice Farmers in Agricultural Zone C, Niger State The decision to whether or not till the land determines•the performance of the crop cultivated. Land tillage methods have their benefits and draw back, depending on the method adopted by the farmer, the loss may by far outweigh the benefits in the long run. Problems such loss in soil quality through degradation may be observed as a result of the land been exposed to environmental factors (Donald et al., 2005). From the observations, rice farmers in the study area use three major tillage systems; these are manual tillage, mechanical tillage, and zero tillage. Table 3 reveals that a majority of the rice farmers engaged motorized tillage (56.7%), while about 40.8% engaged manual tillage in the cultivation of their farm land. Table 3: Distribution of respondents according to tillage technology Tillage system adopted Frequency Percentage Manual tillage 49 40.8 Mechanized tillage 68 56.7 Zero tillage 3 2.5 Total 120 100.0 Sources: Field survey, 2016 The implication of this finding is that majority of the f~rmers in the study would not be limited by labour requirement in the initial land preparation activity on the farm. The advantage of this development is that farmers will be able to increase their hectarage and therefore, the quantity of rice harvest. Land Related Problems Experienced by Farmers Land degradation incidences is more often associated with human activity, such activities can be related to agricultural production depending on the tillage method used in cultivation (Donald et al., 2005). Majority of the respondents identified loss of nutrients as a problem they experienced on their farm land (49.17 %). About 21% of the farmers reported low water infiltration rate as problem on their farm land (Table 4). Further analysis shows that induced erosion and insect pest attack were found to be part of the problems associated with the farming activity of the farmers in the study area. Change in soil texture and topography were also among the problems highlighted by the respondents. Leaching leading to possible loss of nutrients was also reported. Coonfcrcnce Proceedings of The I g•h Annual National Conference of the Nigeria Association Of The Nigerian Agricultural 524 Economists 1-lcld at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, N rgeria I 6'h - I 9'h October, 2017.