UTILIZATION OF IMPROVED RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG RICE FARMERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

The global demand for rice continues to rise due to population growth and changing dietary preferences. Improved rice production technologies offer significant potential to enhance yield, ensure food security, and support sustainable agricultural practices. This study explores the utilization of improved rice production technologies among rice farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 133 rice farmers for the study. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, frequency counts, percentages, means, and Weighted Mean Scores were used to describe the study’s objectives. In addition, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to test the study’s hypothesis. The findings revealed that the mean age of rice farmers was 44 years, while the mean household size was 4 people, and the grand mean number of years spent in formal schools was 4.1 years. The mean year of experience in rice farming was 5.2 years, while the mean size of rice farm cultivated was 2.9 ha, and the mean annual income was ₦595,420. Knapsack sprayer, rice farming inputs, and improved rice varieties were the types of improved rice production technologies utilized by the rice farmers on every occasion, while poor access roads and other infrastructure, lack of transport facilities, high cost of farm inputs, excessive weeds, and infestations of pests and diseases were the most strenuous and tough constraints encountered in rice farming. A significant relationship was found between rice farmers age (r=0.310, p=0.000), household size (r=0.409, p=0.000), number of years of spent schooling (r=0.131, p=0.034), years of experience in rice farming (r=0.505, p=0.000), size of rice farm (r=0.470, p=0.000), and annual income (r=0.142, p=0.000) and utilization of improved rice production technologies among rice farmers. The study concluded that the successful utilization of improved rice production technologies holds the key to addressing the pressing challenges of food security and agricultural sustainability. It was recommended that there should be the implementation of comprehensive training programmes to educate the farmers on the benefits and practices associated with the utilization of improved rice production technologies.