FERTILIZER USE IN RICE PRODUCTION IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

A sample of 302 farmers was collected from the contact farmers in Benue and Kogi States. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics such as Z test, Logit and Multiple regression were also used. The profile of the small scale maize and rice farmers in Benue and Kogi States that emanates from this study is that of a dominating population of economically productive age group with little annual income and high adoption scores for inorganic fertilizer between 2004 to 2008. Study showed that education and age influenced adoption of the inputs. Annual income, farm size and sex influenced output of maize and rice. There was significant difference in output of maize and rice in the two States. However, there was no significant difference between output of improved and local rice. There was incorrect use of inorganic fertilizer as against right quantity of fertilizer to apply, use of hand glove to manually apply fertilizer, storage of fertilizer in ventilated store and application of fertilizer after due soil testing analysis to identify type of nutrient and level of eficiency.

Dr O.J. Saliu had his first and second degrees in Agricultural Extension from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, while his Ph.d is of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. He is widely published in various journals and currently lectures at the Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.