5.6.2 Constraints militating against the adoption of Good Agronomic Practices for rice production The envisaged constraints that could militate against the adoption of good agronomic practices introduced to rice farmers are presented in table 36c. From the table, we have 16 envisaged constraints and only one of them crossed the threshold of 3.0. From this, it means the constraint that has the capacity to hinder adoption of GAP is small number of large export companies to export rice from Nigeria to other countries. Looking at this constraint, one should rather not lose sleep over it since we are yet to attain ability to produce enough for local consumption talk less of exporting. Nigeria has the largest market for rice in Africa and we need to up our production in terms of quantity and quality to enable us meet national demand.
Table 36c:
Constraints militating against the adoption of Good Agronomic Practices among rice farmers
Constraints
Very severe
Severe
Mild severe
Not severe
Not a problem
Weighted score
Insufficient awareness about safety
3(3.8)
9(11.3)
13(16.3)
18(22.5)
35(42.8)
2.0
Environmental and social problem
3(3.8)
20(25.0)
17(21.3)
17(21.3)
23(28.8)
2.5
Insufficient knowledge of impact of agricultural practices
3(3.8)
8(10.0)
15(18.8)
28(35.0)
28(35.0)
2.1
Lack of knowledge and low education
2(2.5)
20(25.0)
8(10.0)
25(31.3)
25(31.3)
2.3
Poor understanding of technology (GAP) requirements
2(2.5)
13(16.3)
9(11.3)
19(23.8)
37(46.3)
2.0
Poor record keeping
9(11.3)
23(28.8)
13(16.3)
15(18.8)
20(25.0)
2.8
Low motivation and incentives to implement GAP
9(11.3)
14(17.5)
19(23.8)
17(21.3)
16(20.0)
2.8
Unhygienic practices in production and food processing
8(10.0)
17(21.3)
15(18.8)
19(22.5)
22(27.5)
2.7
No direct links with market
7(8.8)
16(20.0)
16(20.0)
24(30.0)
17(21.3)
2.6
Small number of large export companies
13(16.3)
20(25.0)
18(22.5)
10(12.5)
18(22.5)
3.0
Insufficient organization of small growers in producers association
3(3.8)
23(28.8)
15(18.8)
14(17.5)
28(35.0)
2.6
Inappropriate use of pesticides
3(3.8)
15(18.8)
13(16.3)
27(33.8)
23(28.8)
2.4
Shortage of skill labour
6(7.5)
21(26.3)
17(21.3)
21(26.3)
10(12.5)
2.5
Poor understanding of the role of GAP
7(8.8)
10(12.5)
13(16.3)
21(26.3)
29(36.3)
2.1
Insufficient dialogue with stakeholders
7(8.8)
9(11.3)
11(13.8)
20(25.0)
33(41.3)
2.2
Insufficient outreach and lack of coordination in training
-
9(11.3)
16(20.0)
16(20.0)
39(48.8)
1.9
Figures in parentheses are percentages Note: weighted score less than 3.0 indicates not severe
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