ABSTRACT
This study examined the effect of rice production on poverty reduction in Benue state using Gwer West Local government as case study. The study made use of primary data which collected by the use of personal interview and well-structured questionnaire, descriptive statistics such as table and percentages and chi-square (x2) were used for analyzing the data. The results of the analysis showed that rice production had a significant effect on poverty reduction in Benue State, since it serve as source of employment, income and improvement of the standard of living. Given the positive influence of rice production on poverty, the study recommended that government should provide basic facilities such as good access road and farm input such as improved rice seed, fertilizers, machines and other implements to rice farmers in the study area and beyond.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Nigerian’s social economic history and development has been very closely tied to its agricultural sector (Egbuna, 2003), the country is blessed with varied climatic Zones, enormous resources and has the potential of producing, processing, marketing and exporting of different agricultural commodities (Singh and Ekpiken, 2003). The importance of agriculture as a sector of the economy is indispensable because it remain the only sources of food and natural fibre for man.
According to Joshua (1999). The sector employs about 70 percent of the rural working population; it also provides raw materials for industry export earnings to finance imports and foreign exchange (Alamu, 1981).
In Nigeria, before and immediately after independence, agriculture was the mainstay of the economy. Though its contribution to Nigerian economy has declined as a result of crude oil discovery in the 70s. The contribution of agriculture to gross domestic product (G.D.P) which was 65% on the average in the 60’s dropped to 22.4% between 1976 and 1980 though it rose to about 29.2% in the year 2001 (CBN 2001). This trend of agricultural contribution to Gross domestic product (G.D.P) is not consistent with the expected role of agriculture as the economy develops.
This Nigeria, which is naturally endowed with both material and human resources, has a great potential to produce and export various agricultural products, rice inclusive. It is therefore unfortunate that the opportunities available in the sector remain untapped (Yuguda. 2003).
Furthermore, agriculture is a major form of human activity in any economy; it is a major employer of labour, a major source of revenue and food supply for human beings and animals and a major source of raw material for secondary industries. At the household level, food security implies physical and economic access of food that is adequate in terms of quantity, nutritional quantity and ability to meet each person’s need.
Benue State occupied an enviable position among the states of the federation in the area of agriculture. It supports a wide variety of crops ranging from roots, tubers and grains. About 75% percent of the population of the state engages in agriculture, producing large quantities of food and cash crops which contribute in the feeding of the timing population of the state and country at large. Hence the state is referred to as “THE FOOD BASKET OF NIGERIA”.
The general characteristics of Benue agriculture are similar to those of the country at large. These include, small scale farming, rudimentary farming systems, hoe-cutlass technology, low capitalization and low yields per hectares. It is dominated by small holder’s farmers who produce most of the total output of any given years as the case with the trend in Nigerian agriculture.
These small farmers constitute the buck of Benue agricultural production landscape producing for both domestic consumption and domestic exchange market which include mainly foodstuffs such as Yam, cassava, rice, millets, maize, guinea-corn, groundnut, soya beans, Bambara nut, palm nut, varieties of fruits and vegetable crops.
Agriculture is the dominant occupation of the inhabitant of Benue at large and Gwer West local government area of Benue State in particular. Hence it is referred to as “HOME OF RICE AND HONEY”. Crops which are commonly grown in the area include Rice, yam, cassava, water-yam, guinea-corn etc.
The problem of poverty remains one of the major challenges that have continued to confront both developing and developed countries even at the dawn of 21st century. It is very practical and intensive in our country Nigerian and Benue State inclusive.
Nigeria with a population of over 140 million people is endowed with vast natural and mineral resources. Inspite of these resources the country has been numbered as one of the poorest nations in the world today. The United Nations recently placed Nigeria the 13th poorest nation in the world with about 70 percent of the population living on one dollar per day (UN, 2005).
Poverty is therefore a threat to political and social stability of any nation. It imposes a heavy socio-economic burden on the government and the society where it is dominant.
It was upon this background that over the years, the government of the federation had embarked on policies and measures geared towards poverty alleviation. Such as Operation feed the nation, Structural adjustments programme (SAP), National directorate of employment (N.D.E), the National poverty Eradication programme (N.P.E.P) to mention but a few.
Inspite the role agriculture and the policies of the government had played; the nation is still wallowing in poverty.
There are so many small scale farming or industries sited in Gwer west local Government Area such as Rice milling and grinding industries, small scale garri processing industries, rice producing enterprises, saw milling industries to mention but a few.
However, this research work centers on Rice production and poverty reduction in Benue State, a case study of Gwer West Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Rice plays an important role in the agricultural economy of Nigeria and particularly in the study area; it is one of the major staple foods. Rice is largely consumed by both rural and urban dwellers, consequently, several strategies and measures have been proposed at federal, state and local government levels, to increase the level of production of the important crop relative to its demand. Amongst are the establishment of the National seed services (N.S.S.) in 1975 at Ibadan, which was mandated to effectively, coordinate seed production and certificate for rice, maize, wheat, sorghum and millet throughout the country. Others include the establishment of National Grain production company (N.G.P.C) in 1975 at Kaduna with the mandate to boost grain production, including rice. Also breeding of high yields and adaptive varieties, pest and diseases control adoption of modem farm inputs and farming methods.
These measures have in many ways stimulated increase in the level of rice production in the country and the study area. Hence the question arises, how is rice production in the study area? and what has been the relationship between rice production and poverty. This project work is to be undertaken to access the effect of Rice production on the poverty status of the study area.
1.3 Research Questions
This study will be guided by the following research questions;
i. What are the socio-economic factors influencing rice production and poverty reduction in the study area?
ii. What is the impact of rice production on poverty in the study area?
iii. To what extent have rice production succeeded in reducing poverty in the study area?
1.4 Objective of the Study
This study examines rice production and how it reduces poverty in Gwer west Local government area. To achieve this aims, the following objective will be pursued:
i. To determine the socio-economic factors influencing rice production and poverty reduction in the study area.
ii. To examine the impact of rice production on poverty reduction in the study area.
iii. To assess the extent to which rice production succeeded in reducing poverty in the study area.
1.5 Hypothesis of the Study
The hypothesis of the study is stated as follows:
Ho: Rice production has not made significant contribution to poverty reduction in Gwer west Local Government Area.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The demand for rice has been increasing in Nigeria since mid-70s’ without corresponding increase in its production, despite its importance as one of the most valued cereal crop in Nigeria family diet.
The findings of the research therefore, will provide empirical evidence on resources use efficiency of rice production. The information from the study will also form a useful base for policy formation and help farmers on proper resources utilization in order to obtain the highest possible outputs in rice production.
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study covers rice production and poverty reduction in two (2) Council Wards of 15 Councils Wards in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. Such council wards are Segnev Council Ward and Gbange Tongov (also known as Mbakyondu).
It focuses rice production as a strategy of reducing poverty because rice production is the major source of income for the majority of people of Gwer west and could serve as a source of reducing poverty. It will also look at poverty causes and effect in the area of study.
