Information Needs of Rice Farmers on Inorganic Fertilizer Use in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study ascertained training and information needs of rice farmers on inorganic fertilizer use. One hundred and twenty rice farmers purposively selected from Ebonyi State, Nigeria constituted sample for the study. An interview schedule was used to collect data while frequency, percentage, mean scores and factor analysis were use for data analysis. Findings indicated that the majority (92.5%) of the respondents obtained information on inorganic fertilizer use from families and friends, all (100%) of the respondents obtained fertilizer from the markets while 98.4% had no training on inorganic fertilizer use. Important areas that respondents required training/information on inorganic fertilizer use for rice production were how to get fertilizer easily (M=1.89), how to detect good or bad fertilizer (M=1.86) among others. Some major constraints that limit inorganic fertilizer use on rice production were high cost of fertilizer (M=2.85) and lack/poor income (M=2.82), Provision of fertilizer subsidy by government (99.2%) and increase in accessibility of fertilizer by farmers (98.3%) were some of the strategies for improving inorganic fertilizer use on rice production.  The study recommends that government through extension should furnish farmers with information and training on where to get good fertilizer and farm credit easily as well as how to use them in rice production in order to maximize output and yield from the enterprise