Factors Influencing Rice Production in Igbemo-Ekiti Region of Nigeria

Journal of
Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences ISSN 1934-7235
Volume 5, Issue 1, 2012.
Factors Influencing Rice Production in Igbemo-Ekiti Region of Nigeria
Joseph O. Basorun, Senior Lecturer, Federal University of Technology, nbason2003@yahoo.com
Julius O. Fasakin, Professor, Federal University of Technology, bunmif_4u@yahoo.com
Abstract
This paper reports the important factors influencing rice production in Igbemo-Ekiti region of Nigeria. It
does so in the context of African Regional Requirement for Food Security and Economic Development
(ARFSED). One hundred and forty six (146) respondents were selected from the twenty-one (21)
residential quarters of the region, through proportional random sampling technique. Using the multiple
linear regression model for analysis, the study discovered that; (i) the status of the rice farmers,(ii) area
of land cultivated, (iii) availability of market for the rice products (iv) the number of laborers engaged in
production and (v) the use of agro-chemicals are crucial factors impacting production. The paper
offers useful planning policies, particularly, promotion of status ratio in production, farm mechanization,
cooperative fund, regional market development, and decentralization of agricultural input supply to
enhance rice production and meet regional food demand.
Introduction
The centrality of agriculture to Developing Economies (DEs) is not in dispute (Umoh, 2003). Nigeria, with
over 140 million inhabitants, constitutes about a quarter of Africa’s total population. Agriculture is the largest
sector of her economy, which provides about two-third of the nation’s workforce (NISER, 2002). In spite of
this, Nigeria faces acute shortage of food as a result of its low agricultural productivity (Okpiliya, 2003). This
shortage which varies seasonally or yearly is reflected in the quantity of food made available for
consumption by Nigerians (Idachaba, 1991). Rice remains an important component of that quantity; a major
arable crop grown in Ekiti (Adeola, 2002) where supply is still considered insufficient to match the
consumption increase (NISER, 2002).
Rice is widely cultivated with high production in South-East Asia, the United States (the largest exporter of
rice in the world) and Southern Europe regions (Longtau, 2000). It is a staple diet in Japan and India -
where annual rice productions exceed 40 million metric tons. Thailand and Vietnam depend on rice
production as the mainstay of their economies (Encarta, 2004).In sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa is the
leading producer and consumer of rice, widely produced in Cote d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea
Bissau, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Sierra Leone (WARDA, 1996, NISER, 2002). According to
Baksh (2003), the mangrove rice cultivation - a highly specific type of lowland rice production is favored in
the region which accounts for one-tenth of total rice production in Africa.
Rice is cultivated in virtually all the agro-ecological zones in Nigeria (Akande, 2001). Cultivation of rice in
appreciable scale and dimension commenced in Nigeria during the Second World War due to a halt in the
importation from the far East (Ojo, 1991) . From the mid-1970s, rice consumption in the country rose
significantly as a result of accelerating population growth rate of 2.8% per annum (Akpokeje et al, 2001). No
doubt, rice production has also expanded as a result of vast increase in land area put under cultivation, “but
this was still considered insufficient to match the consumption increase” (NISER, 2002).
Nigeria is Africa’s second largest economy, with 75 million people living in poverty (Doney, 2005). It has a
federal structure of 36 states – Ekiti State inclusive. In South-Western Nigeria, Ekiti State is the leastdeveloped
in social and economic terms. Rice farming is a primary activity among the farmers in the state
where 70 percent are actively engaged in its production (NISER, 2002). Most Nigerians prefer local rice
varieties because of their taste and smell. However, unhygienic processing has hindered our local rice from
competing favorably with imported rice (Longtau, 2000).
It is becoming increasingly clear that, Igbemo-Ekiti is acquiring national and international reputation for
producing rice. This reputation is founded upon the availability of a superb natural setting of a rain-fed
upland environment especially on the Effurun ridge of South-Western Nigeria (Longtau, 2000). Of all rice
producing towns in Ekiti, Igbemo controls a relatively large market area and enjoys the easiest accessibility
to Ado-Ekiti (State capital) where it attracts high patronage.

Igbemo locates between longitude 5 o 23’ and 5 o 24’ East of the Greenwich Meridian and latitude 7 o 41’ and
7 o 42’ North of the Equator (Appendix). It lies within an upland zone rising over 250 meters above sea level.
Politically, it situates within Irepodun – Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) and Ekiti Central Senatorial
District of Ekiti State. Igbemo town has, in recent years, experienced a progressive increase in population
due to natural increase and immigration from other towns. The official population record in 1991, ranked
Igbemo third (with a population of 15,739) of the eleven (11) major settlements in the Local Government
Area, after Igede (24,607) and Iyin (25,931). The projection to the year 2005 by the Department of
Population Activities, Cabinet and Special Service, Office of the Ekiti State Governor, Ado-Ekiti puts Igbemo
in the third position (23,024) after Igede (35,996) and Iyin (37,931) out of total projected population figure of
161,286 for the entire Local Government Area.
Objectives of the study
This paper aims at looking into the key factors propelling rice production using data sourced from Igbemo
agropolitan Region in Ekiti state of Nigeria. The objectives of study, therefore, are to:
1. examine the rice farmers’ profile in Igbemo-Ekiti region of Nigeria;
2. identify and analyze the basic factors controlling rice farming generally in the region, and;
3. propose management measures to enhance rice production in the study area.
Review of Literature
This study adopts essentially the concept of a regional ‘agropole’. It was developed to provide deductive
explanations for the importance of a centre in an agricultural region. It is predicated on the ideals of
economic welfare of a region subject to a dominant agricultural activity. It is coined from the term “growth
pole” which implies; a centre with some indicators of growth (Perroux, 1955), a geographic agglomeration of
activities (Boudeville, 1966) and indeed, the centre of an activity whose productive capacity influences the
performance of other activities in a particular economy (Ivarah, 2003). A basic tenet of this concept is the
building up of a system that links a process of activities to human communities in a regional setting.
Regional agropole in this study refers to a major agricultural area. It describes the evolutionary and physical
agricultural attributes which an established settlement possesses that reflect some features of central place
in a geographical context. In this case, the focus is mainly on a particular growth-inducing activity in a
place. The major factor influencing structural regional differentiation with a dominant pole is the presence of
a propulsive industry (Omuta and Onorkerhoraye, 1986). This industry is usually characterized by three
important features; (i) high interaction with other firms; (ii) a high degree of influence, and (iii) great size
(Darwent, 1975). Industries possessing these three attributes are normally characterized by output data
higher than the average that affect other industries and the total output of the economy (Sule, 2000).
Presently, Igbemo is a centre of attraction to most Ekiti indigenes that trade on rice. In the region, are smallscale
rice processing activities which promote commerce in Ekiti State. Increasingly, entrepreneurial
activities at this centre are becoming generators of productive forces, relationships and growth. Over time,
Igbemo is poised to become a powerful centre of change, transmitting developmental impulses to the
immediate Local Government Areas and Ekiti State in general.
Methods
Database and Participants
A structured questionnaire was administered to the household heads. A proportional random selection of
146 respondents from the existing residential quarters (compounds) conterminous with the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) political wards in the town was adopted. The sample was
disaggregated into twenty seven (27) quarters according to the numbers of buildings used as proxy
population for farmers’ population in each. Thereafter, samples were randomly chosen from the wards
which represent well-defined Data Delineation Areas (DDAs). In a house, one household head of age 18
and above was interviewed.
2

Fig.1: Igbemo in the national setting
Source: Ekiti State Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning
Out of the 146 respondents within Igbemo, 127 (87.0 percent) were farmers, of which 108 (74.0 percent)
specialized on rice production. Subsequent analysis focused on this group (rice farmers) as the targeted
population. The variables employed in the analysis were; status of the farmer (STATUS), motivating factor
for rice farming (MOTIVE), area of land cultivated (AREA); laborer engaged in farming (LABOR), use of
agrochemicals (AGRO), institutional assistance (ASSIST) and the possible market for the rice product
(MARKET). These variables were selected because of their likelihood to impact harvest annually.
Cross-sectional data were collected from sampled rice farmers with the aid of interview schedule which
was found to be very appropriate because, majority of the farmers were illiterates. The data generated
were subjected to analysis using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean,
and regression analysis to determine the resource use efficiency of rice farmers in the area
3

Table 1: Definition of Research Variables
S/N Variable Definition of Variable Measurement Scale Mean
Code
1. HARVEST Average Annual Harvest 1 =< 400Kg,
2= 401-800Kg
3 = 801 - 1200Kg,
4= 1201-1600Kg
5 = 1601-2000Kg,
6= >2000Kg
2. STATUS Marital Status of Respondent 1 = Widowed
2 = Divorced
3 = Single
4 = Married
3 MOTIVE Motivating Factor for 1 = Parent / Inheritance
Rice Farming
2= Lucrativeness
3 = Environment (soil and
Climate)
4 = Lack of Education
4 AREA Annual Land Area (acres) 1 = under 10 acres
Cultivated
2= 11-20acres
3 = 21- 30 acres
4= 31- 40 acres
5= 41– 50 acres
6 = 51 -60 acres
7 = 61-70 acres
8 = 71- 80 acres
9 = 81- 90 acres
10 = 91 – 100 acres (1hc)
11 = > 1 hectare.
5. LABOR Number of laborers
Engaged on the farm
1 = 1- 2people
2 = 3 – 4 people
3 = 5 – 6 people
4 = 7 – 8 people
5 = 9 – 10 people
6 = 10 people and above
6. AGRO Agrochemicals used 1 = Fungicide
2 = pesticide
3 = Herbicide
4 = Fertilizer
7. ASSIST Form of Assistance on 1 = Credit facility (loan)
Rice Farming
2 = Equipment/tractor
3 = Free Labor
4 = Seeds
5 = Agrochemicals
6 = Training,
7 = None
8. MARKET Market for Rice Product 1 = Inefficient
2 = Fairly efficient
3 = Just efficient
4 = Very efficient.
Source: Authors’ Computation, 2010
4
960kg
3.80
1.87
< 10acres
2.82
3.64
6.23
3.82

Table 1 shows that a farmer produces 960kg on average per annum. This is low due to the crude method of
farming. Again, families are involved in production more than individuals, although as noted earlier,
individualization of holdings is on the increase. The main reason for rice production remains the probable
profit – a common factor with economic man. An abysmally less than 10 acres are cultivated annually by
each farmer – a factor that may be responsible for the low production level earlier stated. Minimal
mechanization and chemical application may also be responsible. The predominating chemical application is
fertilizer, the most popular among Nigerian farmers in general. Farmers see the market outlets as efficient
because it absorbs production output from them.
Rational for Inclusion of Variables
Obviously, Nigeria faces acute food shortage as a result of its low agricultural productivity (Okpiliya, 2003,
Basorun, 2008). This shortage is peculiar to rice which is a staple food. Subair (2008), in highlighting the
comment of the Special Adviser to Nigerian President and the Head of New Partnership for African
Development (NEPAD), remarks that “Nigeria spends N100 billion (£454.5m) on rice importation annually”.
This prompts investigation into average annual harvest (HARVEST) of the farmers in the selected agropole.
In this context, the marital status (STATUS) of the producers is significant to determine labor requirements.
Motivating factor into rice production (MOTIVE) is a major attribute that will explain the interest of the farmer
in the job. The total area cultivated (AREA) is significant to rice availability in meeting consumers’ demands.
As observed, ‘farmers in sub-Saharan Africa are handicapped by lack of timely and sufficient access to
inputs, credit and appropriate technology among other things’ (Pinstrup-Anderson, 2001). The number of
laborers engaged in cultivation (LABOR), the type of agrochemical used (AGRO), assistance by institutions
(ASSIST) and possible market for the product (MARKET) have been chosen to analyze these critical factors
which are required to accelerate the rice farming process and capacity strengthening at the agropole.
Calibration of Model of Analysis
Harvest, is the dependent variable of analysis in this study which is used as a proxy for the level of
productivity of the farmers. A vector of other parameters of model estimation can be gleaned from table 1.
The simple linear regression model is chosen with the mathematical format stated below:
Y = a + b 1 X 1 + b 2 X 2
……… b j Xj + e ………….………… (i)
Where Y = dependent variable, a = the intercept value of the regression hyperplane, b 1 - b j = the partial
regression coefficients, X 1 - X J = the explanatory variables and e = error term.
The choice of this model lies in its ability to show the partial strength and possibly test the significance of the
parameters of estimating rice farmers’ level of production in the study area. Although, this model has its
territorial limits, it has been found to be very efficient in predicting parameters that affect the behavior of a
given phenomenon. Willis (1991) employed the regression model in determining overcrowding and house
conditions in the Ghanaian housing market. Sanusi and Salimonu (2006) adopted the same model to
assess the relationship between selected factors inputs and income from yam production extension in Oyo
State, Nigeria. The goal of the present study is to determine factors that impact rice production in Igbemo-
Ekiti, Nigeria. The motivation is to see if the model that had been used in various contexts can yield
comparable results in a different socio-economic context of Igbemo region.
Results
Objective 1: Examining the Rice Farmer’s Profile in Igbemo-Ekiti Region of Nigeria
Findings show that out of the 87.0% that are farmers, 74.0% grow rice, confirming the agrarian status of Ekiti
State. The farmers are predominantly male (66.6%). Majority (40.7%) are illiterates, who earn less than 550
dollars per annum. Half of the farmers are of middle age (45-50yrs) who have been in the job for more than
10 years. Although rice farming seems to be the main agricultural occupation, an average farmer cultivates
less than 10 acres annually. Many of the respondents (77.6%) cultivate rice because it is lucrative. Manual
method of tillage is adopted while surprisingly 86.0% make use of agrochemicals. The farmers depend on
local varieties to which they apply much chemicals with little yield. Virtually all (93.5%) of them hardly enjoy
institutional assistance, hence, the basic barrier to rice farming in the region remains funding (90.7%).
5

Objective 2: Identification and Analysis of the basic factors controlling Rice farming
generally in the region.
Before model calibration, all these variables were correlated to ascertain degree of linearity between them
and determine the independence of the regression factors. From table 2 (Appendix), motivating factor for
rice production (MOTIVE) has the highest correlation of 0.770 with the use of labor (LABOR), followed by
0.748 between annual harvests (HARVEST) and status of the rice farmer (STATUS). Land area used for
cultivation (AREA) shows least relationship (0.048) with assistance to farmers (ASSIST).
Table 2: Correlation Matrix of Rice Farmers’ Variables in Igbemo-Ekiti
Variable code HARVEST STATUS MOTIVE AREA LABOR AGRO ASSIST MARKET
HARVEST
p-value
1.000 0.748**
0.000
0.679**
0.000
0.555**
0.000
0.648**
0.000
0.718**
0.000
0.417**
0.000
0.490**
0.000
STATUS
p-value
1.000 0.433
0.000
0.377**
0.000
0.633**
0.000
0.622**
0.000
0.130
0.125
0.185*
0.027
MOTIVE
p-value
1.000 0.599**
0.000
0.770**
0.000
0.449**
0.000
0.318**
0.000
0.372**
0.000
AREA
p-value
1.000 0.442**
0.000
0.602**
0.000
0.048
0.572
0.070
0.409
LABOR
p-value
1.000 0.662**
0.000
0.397**
0.000
0.488**
0.000
AGRO
p-value
1.000 0.084
0.327
0.120
0.155
ASSIST
p-value
1.000 0.733**
0.000
MARKET 1.000
*Correlation is significant at the 0.5 level (2-tailed)
** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)
Source: Authors’ fieldwork, 2010
Table 3: Stepwise Variable Selection for Rice Farmers’ Harvest in Igbemo - Ekiti
Unstandardized
Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
B Std. Error Beta
T
Sig.
Model
1. (Constant)
STATUS
11.097
1.135
0.868
0.067 0.816
12.780
16.851
.000
.000
2. (Constant)
STATUS
AREA
8.367
1.076
2.938
0.882
0.060
0.464
0.774
0.275
9.491
17.830
6.330
.000
.000
.000
3. (Constant)
STATUS
AREA
MARKET
-9.739
0.982
2.892
4.915
3.695
0.059
0.429
0.978
0.706
0.271
0.211
-2.636
16.694
6.746
5.024
.009
.000
.000
.000
4. (Constant)
STATUS
AREA
MARKET
LABOR
-17.345
0.893
2.855
3.930
2.189
4.520
0.066
0.419
1.018
0.784
0.643
0.267
0.168
0.139
-3.837
13.606
6.815
3.858
2.793
.000
.000
.000
.000
.006
5. (Constant)
STATUS
AREA
MARKET
LABOR
AGRO
-21.290
0.735
2.130
4.176
2.526
3.223
Dependent Variable = HARVEST
Source: Authors’ Computation, 2010
4.543
0.080
0.464
0.989
0.766
0.999
0.529
0.199
0.179
0.161
0.177
-4.687
9.179
4.595
4.224
3.299
3.225
000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.002
6

From table 3, only five (5) of the variables (STATUS, AREA, MARKET, LABOR and AGRO) impact
significantly, the quantity of rice harvested annually by farmers in Igbemo. These variables were introduced
step-wise into the model to obtain the best regression equation (Appendix, Table 3). The equation of best
regression applying the least square algorithm is in the form of:
Y = -21.290+0.735(STATUS) +2.130 (AREA) + 4.176 (MARKET)+ 2.526 (LABOR) + 3.223 (AGRO)….. (ii)
The variable, STATUS, is the most significant variable explaining rice farmers’ harvest. HARVEST will
increase by 52.9%, if the numbers of married people who engage in rice farming are doubled. The table also
indicates an increase in HARVEST by 19.9% as the farmer increases his farm size by 100%. Though
significant, this increase is small, obviously due to crude use of implements with little mechanization
(Fakorede, 2001).
The marketing possibility for the product (MARKET) shows a coefficient estimate of 0.179, indicating a rise
in harvest by 17.97% if the present rate of demand for rice increases by 100%. Obviously, the supply is low
in response to increase in demand; despite the fact that 95.4% have access to good marketing centre. The
impact of LABOR on HARVEST has been found to be positive. Should the farmer double the present
number of laborers used in cultivation, increase in annual harvest by 16.1% will occur. Majority of the
farmers (98.1%) rely heavily on manual labor with five to six laborers engaged in bush clearing, weeding of
rice farm, planting, harvesting and bird scaring. Further analysis reveals a possible increase in HARVEST by
17.7% if the use of agrochemicals is doubled. In the region, the common farming practice is shifting
cultivation that depletes the soil rapidly.
Objective 3: Proposing Management Measures to enhance Rice production in the study
area
Specifically, factors requiring serious policy attention include: status of the rice farmers, area of land put
under rice cultivation, marketing of the local rice, labor engagement in cultivation, and use of agrochemicals.
Findings reveal that productivity is small in relation to the marital status of the respondents due to increasing
individualization of farm holdings. A State District Development Commission (SDDC) should as a matter of
urgency intervene decisively to train farmers to use both improved seedlings and farm mechanization. The
SDDC can collaborate with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in this regard.
With regards to farm size, adequate education on mechanization will encourage utilization of modern farm
implements for ploughing, planting, weeding and harvesting at subsidized cost, thus, reducing the high cost
of labor input. The constraint of capital, no doubt, limits productivity of these farmers, especially with the
contract –farming arrangement. A paradigm shift from this unprofitable approach to ‘Cooperative Fund’ (CF)
is advocated to empower the farmers to restructure their enterprises financing. The SDDC can organize this
with organized farmers’ groups for the purpose of investing on rice farming project with a sharing formula on
proceeds.
In a further effort of the SDDC to strengthen the marketing infrastructure and organization for greater
efficiency and effectiveness, a new Regional Market Development (RMD) strategy is proposed to widen the
market for Igbemo rice. This strategy will promote the establishment of new modern markets and the
expansion of existing ones. Already, the market at the State capital (Ado-Ekiti) records the highest
patronage by the local rice marketers. The new regional market will be established in Igbemo as modern
major market within the framework of regional communities surrounding the town.
It is evident that the rice farmers in Igbemo use agrochemicals substantially. No doubt, these farmers will
prefer a location where cost of receiving the material is at a minimum. On this note, there is the need for a
decentralized approach to the Agricultural Input Supply (AIS) policy of government in the State. The
framework envisages the establishment of Centre for Agricultural Input Supply (CAIS) through the SDDC in
Igbemo. To complement this effort, the SDDC can partner with private organizations to establish a manure
factory, under a well organized government waste-to-manure program to increase the production of soil
manure required for high productivity.
Discussions
Single factor analysis shows the prevalence of married farmers (88.0%). This result is due to the large
household size of respondents that allows more farming hands which naturally leads to increased
productivity (Basorun, 2008). The Ekiti State Agricultural Development Project (ESADP) was established “to
expose farmers to improved agricultural technology made up of improved seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and
farm mechanization aids” (Alao and Olujimi, 1992). About 93.5% of the farmers claimed not to have enjoyed
7

any institutional assistance. Consequently, it is plausible that a little increase will result from a doubling of
farm sizes.
Igbemo region may be noted for concerted rice production, yet the level of production cannot meet the
demand of the people. Part of the problems is the extreme seasonality of rice availability due to limited
storage facilities. Quite ironically, rice farming has ceased to be a family business as more people now have
their separate farms due to shortage of family hands (NISER, 2002). At the crucial stages (planting,
weeding and harvesting) many of the farmers enter into contract–farming arrangements by using rice
harvested to pay the laborers, thus, leading to a reduced level of rice offered for marketing to the public. The
limited increase in yield is not also unconnected with the local unimproved variety of rice cultivated that
responds very little to fertilizer and herbicide application.
Conclusion
A number of resources abound in different regions of Nigeria that could be effectively harnessed for regional
development. Many of these have been left untapped. In effect, the poor region has to exhibit low income,
unemployment and poor quality of life. Ekiti is a new state with relatively low federal allocation and internally
generated revenue when compared with the old state and those in the oil producing regions of the country.
However, it is a notable rice producing region – an economic potential that could be used to elevate its level
of development.
This study has identified some major factors impacting rice production in an important rice production centre
(Igbemo) in Ekiti state of Nigeria. The analytical framework for the study has proved efficacious in identifying
those variables that influence HARVEST in the agrarian community. The findings call for policies capable of
enhancing rice production in the area through a new regional development framework that emphasizes
decentralization of current regional development policies while advocating for a State District Development
Commission (SDDC) and a change of orientation in the marketers’ mode of operations. The policy
discussions and recommendations however, hold some promises for Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.
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Acknowledgement:
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the Ph.D research by the corresponding author on which this article is based.
9