ABSTRACT

The study examined the economics of rice production in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State of Nigeria. Data for this study were randomly selected with the aid of structured questionnaire 72 (Umumbo 12, Omor 15, Anaku 8, Igeakwu 7, Ornasi 10, Umueje 5, lJmerum 9, and Ifite Oguuari 6).farmers were selected from a sample frame of 120 (1Jmumbo 20, Omor 22, Anaku 15, lgeakwu 10, Omasi 20, Umuejel4 , Umerum 13, and lfite-Oguuan. 10 respectively) farmers. The selection was based on the population size of the rice farmers in each of the community Data were collected on socio-economic characteristic of farmers, costs and returns, determinants of rice production and constraints of rice production. Descriptive statistics (such as mean, frequency and percentage) was used to analysis socio-economic characteristics and constraints of rice production, multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the determinants of rice production, while costs and returns were analyzed with the aid of farm budget analysis. Among the four functional models (such as linear, semi-log, exponential and double log functions) fitted in the analysis, double-log equation was as the best equation. The result of the multiple analysis showed that quantity of herbicide (x2), quantity of seed rice (X4) number of weeding done (X), farm size (X8), and age of farmer (X9), were significant (1% and 5%), positive factors that influenced rice production in the production, while manual labour (X7), and cost of use of machine were significant (1% and 5%), but negative related to rice production in the area. The profit obtained at the end of the budgeting analysis was N 81205. 50. Lack of input facility was ranked the highest constant that militated against the production system of the farmers. There should be public co-operation in the area to ensure high rice productivity, and high security.