INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
The production and
consumption of rice constitute a major stable food in Nigeria.
While it is also
estimated that 60% of the world’s population consume the commodity. (Imolehin and Wada, 2000).In major
cities in Africa rice has become a stable food for every home. WARDA (1996).In
Nigeria the consumption and production of the commodity has become a stable
commodity. However the production level is far below the demand for the
commodity. According to Imolehin and Wada, 2000 the commodity rank the third
position after wheat and maize production globally. The health benefit of rice
consumption is enormous as it has the potential of improving nutrition, boost
food security, foster rural development and sustain land mass. An estimated per
capita consumption of rice globally stood at
40% between the years
1961-2002.Consequently rice consumption has continued to increase due to increase
in population. Akande, (2003).The increase in the consumption of rice has not
been matched with the production levels causing a short fall. The Nigerian
agricultural development policy document is aimed at self-sufficiency in basic
food commodities such as rice which constitute the large portion of Nigeria’s
foreign exchange expenditure. It is believed that the policy will promote the
level of production and consumption of rice in the country. The study seeks to proffer an assessment of key factors
influencing rice production and marketing in Ebonyi state Nigeria.
1.2 STATEMENT OF
THE PROBLEM
The production of rice is faced with
some challenges making the sector weak
and inefficient. The channel of
distribution of the commodity between the farmers and the market poses
difficulty due to poor infrastructure. Other challenges include lack of modern
and enhanced processing facilities, poor access to input, low rice
productivity, expensive input, poor
storage facility, poor post-harvest handling expensive and poor access to quality seed, fertilizer and crop protection
products,
Poor
market and distribution network. These challenges have affected the level of
productivity and income of the farmers especially in Ebonyi state. It has also
led to loss of manpower where some of this people have abandoned their farms
and left for the city.
The problem confronting the study is to proffer an assessment of key factors
influencing rice production and marketing in Ebonyi state Nigeria.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is to proffer an assessment of
key factors influencing rice production and marketing in Ebonyi state Nigeria
; The specific objectives
include
1
To determine the relevance
of rice production and marketing in Nigeria.
2 To determine the key factors
affecting rice production and marketing in Nigeria.
3 To determine the key factors affecting
rice production and marketing in Ebonyi state.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1
What is the relevance
of rice production and marketing in Nigeria?
2 What is the factors affecting rice
production and marketing in Nigeria?
3 What is the key factors affecting
rice production and marketing in Ebonyi state?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
study shall provide an evaluative assessment of the challenges facing rice
production and marketing in Nigeria and in Ebonyi state; with the view of
seeking possible solution to meliorate the weakness.
1.6 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS
The
statement of the hypothesis for the study is stated in Null as follows
HO The production and marketing in of rice in Ebonnyi state is low
Ho
The challenges facing rice production and marketing in Ebonyi state is
high.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The
study proffers an assessment of key factors influencing rice production and marketing
in Ebonyi state Nigeria
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUIDY
The
study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEFINED
This
is the development aimed at the poor in the rural areas.It involves the
provision of good living standard for
the people in rural areas.
FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT DEFINED
The managerial activity involved with the planning
and controlling of financial resources of an entity or establishment.
BUDGETING
DEFINED
Budgeting involves the process of resource
generation, allocation and managements
ACCOUNTABILITY DEFINED
Accountability:
which aims at honesty and judicious use of public funds,
CONTROL
DEFINED
Control
provides organizational structures for effective implementation. Of programs
JAAC
DEFINED
Joint Allocation Account Committee.
NULGE DEFINED
Nigerian Union of Local Government.
REFERENCES
Akande, S.O., Akpokodje, G. (2003). Rice
prices and market integration. In selected areas in Nigeria. Project report-The
Nigerian rice economy in competitive world: constraints, opportunities and
strategies choices. Ibadan: Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER,).
Pp. 1-20.
[2].Akande, T. (2003). The rice sector
in Nigeria. United Nation Crop Project (UNCP) Country Agricultural Project on
trade liberalization in Agricultural sector and the environment, Geneva. Pp
10.[3].
.Imolehin, E. D. and Wada, A. C. (2000).
Meeting the rice production and consumption demands of Nigeria with improved
technologies. National Cereals Research Institute Badger Niger State, Nigeria.
12p.[12].International Institute for Tropical Agricultural IITA (1988)
WARDA (1996) Rice trends in sub Saharan
Africa: A synthesis of statistics on rice production, trade and consumption
(1973 —1992), West Africa Rice Development Association, Bouake, Cote d‟ Ivoire.