Evaluation of Sawah Eco-Technology in Rice Production among Rural Households in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined factors influencing the awareness of sawah technology in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Sawah refers to levelled rice field surrounded by banks with inlet and outlet for irrigation and drainage. Using pre-tested interview guide, data were collected from 300 sawah farmers in the study area. Data collected were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics using stata package. The results showed that respondents were predominantly male, married and had no formal education. The mean age was 48.13 years with mean household size of 14 persons; farm sizes ranged from 1–50 hectares with average of 4.70 ha, the mean yield was 6.88tha–1. The results further showed that bond construction had 60% awareness, nursery 55%, puddling 53%, flooding 65%, leveling and smoothening 56% and power tiller use 48% awareness. Awareness of sawah technology was
influenced by socio economic characteristics which include sex, age, educational level, farm size, yield and income of the farmers. The study also showed that the attributes of sawah, production factors, information and extension and perception of respondent toward sawah technology influenced
awareness. It is concluded that sawah eco-technology is widely aware of by rice farmers in Kebbi State. The study therefore recommended that dissemination of sawah to other states in Nigeria need to consider factors that promote its awareness. Improvement of those factors that significantly affect awareness of sawah technology is also recommended.