ANALYSIS OF SOCIOECONOMIC VARIABLES INFLUENCING RICE PRODUCTION IN CALABAR AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The main focus of this research was to analysis the socioeconomic variables influencing rice production in the Calabar Agricultural Zone of Cross River State. The study specifically examined the influence of farmers sex, age, marital status, level of education, farm size, family size, income, labor and road access to credit, etc on rice production in the area. The study adopted survey design, data were obtained with the aid of a validated structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean, frequency count percentages and probit regression model. A total of 110 respondents were randomly selected from 332 population of registered rice farmers in the area. The results of the analysis revealed that rice production in the area was defined by the cost of labor, farmers access to credit facilities, income, level of education, farm and family size and marital status etc. It was, therefore, recommended among others that government should provide credit facilities to the farmers and improve adult literacy programs in rural farming communities.