ASSESSMENT OF USAGE OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES BY RICE FARMERS IN EBONYI STATE

Abstract

The knowledge of the Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) being used by rice farmers in Ebonyi State will be beneficial especially in cases where interventions are targeted to increase rice production in a way that protects the environment. There is, however, a dearth of scientific data regarding the usage and the determinants of the use of SAPs in Ebonyi State. This study investigated the usage of SAPs by the rice farmers in Ebonyi State, and their determinants. It employed a multi-stage sampling procedure to select 120 rice farmers across the three Agricultural Development Project (ADP) zones of the state. Collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that most used SAPs by the farmers were; Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) (2.17), System of Rice Intensification (SRI) (1.74), green manure (1.70), organic farming (1.52), and precision irrigation (1.48). The least used SAPs were integrated pest management (IPM) (1.41), alternate wetting and drying (AWD) (0.73), residue management and mulching (0.59), no-till farming (0.54), and composting (0.38). At 5% level of significance, farmers’ age, education, income, household size, farming experience, income sources, farm size, and communication access were significant determinants of their usage of SAPs. The rice farmers had a considerable usage of SAPs, and several socioeconomic and institutional factors can ensure better use. Strengthening the farmers livelihood assets can trigger better usage of SAPs which may cascade into better sustainable rice production