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Factors influencing local production of rice (Oryza sativa) in Abakiliki L. G. A. of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study in Abakiliki L.G.A of Ebonyi State examined factors influencing the output of local rice. A research survey design was used for the study and fifty (50) local rice farmers were randomly selected from 17 different communities in Abakaliki LGA. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were employed in the data analysis. Results showed that most of the rice farmers sampled were of their active age with an average of 35 years. The respondents possessed one educational qualification or the other. The Size of the farm, labour input, capital inputs, and cost of seeds exerted significant influence in explaining the variations in the quantity of local rice produced. The R2 (0.766), showed that 76.6% of the variations in the output of local rice were captured by the explanatory variables. It is recommended that local rice farmers increase their small farm sizes either through the acquisition of more lands directly or through government efforts at a fee. Furthermore, since labour input significantly influenced the output of Local rice it is recommended that skilled labour be attracted into local rice production through increased remuneration of labour in rice production. Capital inputs should be increased in the study area probably through credit liberalization or skewing of credit supply in favour of local rice production to enable the farmers to hire skilled labour needed to boost rice output.