CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has become one of the major staple foods in Nigeria. Its consumption has increased over the years due to population growth and urbanisation. The rising cost of importing rice has also made the expansion of local production an important government priority. Rice is cultivated under different production systems, including upland, rainfed lowland and irrigated conditions. Improving production on existing farmland depends partly on the decisions farmers make during planting and other stages of crop management.

Farmers generally establish rice using two major methods: transplanting and direct seeding. Transplanting involves raising seedlings in a nursery before moving them to the main field, while direct seeding involves planting rice seeds directly into dry or wet soil through broadcasting, drilling or dibbling. Although direct seeding reduces the labour and time required for transplanting, it requires proper control of seed quantity and weed growth. Mani et al. (2017) compared different rice varieties and planting methods under irrigation at Talata Mafara in the Sudan savanna. Their findings showed that transplanting produced higher 1,000-grain weight and grain yield than broadcasting and drilling. They also reported that Faro 45 performed better in terms of yield than Faro 44 and Faro 57.

Among the different decisions involved in direct seeding, seed rate is one of the most important factors farmers can control. Seed rate refers to the quantity of rice seed planted on a particular area of land. It determines the initial plant population, influences the number of tillers and panicles produced per unit area, affects competition among plants and determines the amount of money spent on seeds. When the seed rate is too low, the field may have gaps that encourage weed growth and reduce the number of productive plants. However, using too much seed may increase production costs, create overcrowding and competition among plants, increase the risk of lodging and disease, and reduce the number of filled grains produced per panicle.

Research has shown that rice responds differently to varying seed rates. Bueno and Carandang (2023) conducted a study on dry direct-seeded rice in the Philippines using seed rates of 20, 40, 60 and 120 kg/ha. They found that the 40, 60 and 120 kg/ha treatments produced similar yields, and all performed better than the lowest rate of 20 kg/ha. Although the highest seed rate produced more panicles, it also resulted in fewer filled grains per panicle. Conversely, the lowest seed rate produced more filled grains per panicle but fewer panicles. The researchers observed that compensation among the different yield components was more effective at 40 and 60 kg/ha. They therefore considered these rates more suitable for farmers because they could achieve good yields while spending less on seed. In another study, Donayre et al. (2023) examined wet direct-seeded rice using seed rates of 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg/ha. Their findings showed that increasing the seed rate reduced the shoot biomass of the weed Cyperus rotundus by 10%, 20% and 41%, respectively. However, the different seed rates did not produce significant differences in rice yield.

Rieffel Neto et al. (2000) investigated the response of lowland rice varieties to different plant arrangements in Brazil. Their experiment involved different seed rates, row spacings and rice varieties. The results showed that narrower row spacing increased grain yield across the varieties examined. The researchers also concluded that seed rates could be reduced where farmers maintained effective weed control and adequate water management. These findings suggest that the most appropriate seed rate depends on several conditions, including the method of seed distribution, rice variety, water availability, weed management and the cost of planting materials. Therefore, a seed rate that performs well under one production condition may not necessarily produce the same results under another.

Although experimental studies have examined the effects of seed rate on rice growth and yield, they provide limited information about how farmers make their actual planting decisions. Farmers may select their seed rates based on the availability and cost of seeds, planting methods, previous experiences, traditional practices and the appearance of the crop after establishment. These practical considerations may influence farmers' decisions differently from the conditions maintained during controlled experiments. Katcha Local Government Area is located in Niger State, where small-scale farmers cultivate rice in lowland and fadama areas. The National Cereals Research Institute also operates a research station at Badeggi in Niger State. Despite the importance of rice production in the area, there is a need for information on the seed rates commonly used by farmers and their experiences with the resulting crop growth and yield.

This study therefore focuses on rice farmers in Katcha Local Government Area. It seeks to document the quantities of seed farmers apply per unit area, the planting methods they adopt and their opinions about the influence of different seed rates on rice establishment, growth and yield. It will also identify the problems farmers encounter when selecting and applying seed rates. The findings are expected to provide useful information on existing planting practices and help guide agricultural extension advice in the study area.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Rice farmers in Katcha Local Government Area use different quantities of seed when establishing their farms. These differences may be influenced by seed availability, affordability, personal experience and the planting methods adopted by individual farmers. However, the quantity of seed used during planting can influence crop establishment, tillering, panicle formation, weed competition and the final yield obtained. Experimental studies have shown that very low seed rates may result in poor crop establishment and reduced yield, while excessively high rates may increase production costs without necessarily improving output (Bueno & Carandang, 2023; Donayre et al., 2023).

Although previous studies have examined seed rates and rice production, many were conducted outside Nigeria, such as the studies by Bueno and Carandang (2023), Donayre et al. (2023) and Rieffel Neto et al. (2000). Other research, such as Mani et al. (2017), was conducted in a different Nigerian location under specific irrigation and production conditions. These findings may not fully explain the planting practices and experiences of rice farmers in Katcha Local Government Area. The literature reviewed for this study has not provided sufficient information about the seed rates used by farmers in the area or how they perceive the effects of those rates on rice growth and yield.

As a result, some farmers may be applying insufficient quantities of seed, leading to poor crop establishment, thin plant populations and increased weed competition. Others may be using excessive quantities of seed, thereby increasing production expenses and creating unnecessary competition among rice plants. Without adequate local information, it may be difficult for farmers to determine whether their current seed rates are appropriate for their planting methods and production conditions.

The limited availability of information also creates challenges for agricultural extension officers and rice development programmes in Niger State. Without reliable information on farmers' existing seed-use practices and experiences, extension recommendations may not adequately address the actual conditions and difficulties faced by rice producers in Katcha.

This study therefore seeks to address the lack of local survey information on the seed rates and planting methods used by rice farmers in Katcha Local Government Area, their perceptions of the effects of different seed rates on crop growth and yield, and the challenges they encounter when applying seed. The findings will provide a basis for understanding farmers' current practices and identifying areas where improved guidance and support may be necessary.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 General Objective

The general objective of this study is to assess, through a questionnaire survey, farmers' experiences and perceptions of the relationship between different seed rates and the growth and yield of rice in Katcha Local Government Area, Niger State.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are to:

(a) describe the socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers in the study area;

(b) identify the seed rates and planting methods commonly used by the farmers;

(c) examine farmers' assessments of crop establishment, tillering and plant growth under low, medium and high seed rates;

(d) examine farmers' assessments of panicle formation and grain yield under different seed rates; and

(e) identify the challenges farmers experience when selecting and applying seed rates, as well as the forms of assistance they consider necessary.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

RQ1: What are the socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers in Katcha Local Government Area?

RQ2: What seed rates and planting methods are commonly used by rice farmers in the study area?

RQ3: How do farmers assess crop establishment, tillering and plant growth under different seed rates?

RQ4: How do farmers assess panicle formation and grain yield under different seed rates?

RQ5: What challenges do farmers encounter when selecting and applying seed rates, and what forms of assistance do they require?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H01: There is no significant relationship between the seed rates used by farmers and their methods of rice establishment.

H02: There is no significant relationship between seed rate and farmers' perceptions of rice growth.

H03: There is no significant relationship between seed rate and farmers' perceptions of rice yield.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be useful to rice farmers in Katcha Local Government Area because they will provide information about the seed rates commonly used by other farmers and their experiences with different planting practices. This information may help farmers compare their own seed-use decisions with those of other producers in the area. It may also encourage more efficient use of planting materials, reduce unnecessary seed expenses and improve their understanding of crop establishment and management.

The study will also benefit agricultural extension officers and rice development programmes in Niger State. The information obtained will provide a local picture of farmers' seed-use practices, planting methods and the challenges associated with selecting appropriate seed rates. Extension officers may use the findings when preparing agricultural education programmes and providing recommendations that reflect the conditions of rice farmers in Katcha.

Researchers and students interested in rice production will also find the study useful. It will provide baseline information on the planting practices and perceptions of farmers in the study area. These findings may serve as a reference for future research and help researchers design controlled field experiments on seed rates under the production conditions of the southern Guinea savanna.

1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study

1.7.1 Scope

This study covers rice farmers in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State. It focuses specifically on seed rate and its perceived relationship with rice growth and yield. The study will examine the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, the seed rates and planting methods they use, their assessments of crop establishment and growth, their perceptions of panicle formation and grain yield, and the challenges they encounter when selecting and applying different seed rates.

1.7.2 Limitations

The study may be affected by certain limitations.

First, the information collected will depend largely on the ability of farmers to remember and accurately describe their planting practices and experiences. Their opinions about crop growth and yield may differ from results obtained through direct field measurements.

Second, some farmers measure the quantity of rice seed using local containers such as tins, bowls and other household measuring materials instead of kilograms. Converting these measurements into kilograms per hectare may be difficult unless the containers are weighed and the area planted is accurately established.

Finally, limitations in time and financial resources may restrict the number of farmers and communities included in the survey. Consequently, the findings should be interpreted within the context of the study area and applied cautiously to other locations.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Broadcasting: A method of planting in which seeds are scattered over the surface of the soil rather than placed in organised rows.

Direct Seeding: A method of establishing rice in which seeds are planted directly in the field instead of first raising seedlings in a nursery for subsequent transplanting.

Growth: The visible development of the rice plant, including its height, tillering ability and general vigour, as assessed by farmers in this study.

Seed Rate: The quantity of rice seed applied to a particular area of farmland, commonly expressed in kilograms per hectare.

Yield: The quantity of paddy rice harvested from a given area of farmland, usually expressed in kilograms or tonnes per hectare.

REFERENCES

Bueno, C. S., & Carandang, R. B. (2023). Yield component compensation as affected by seeding rates in dry direct-seeded rice. The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, 106(3). https://doi.org/10.62550/EN052023

Donayre, D. K. M., Jimenez, J. J. L., Pascua, H. G., & Martin, E. C. (2023). Influence of seeding rate and flooding period on growth of lowland ecotype Cyperus rotundus L. and yield of wet direct-seeded rice under dual culture. Philippine Journal of Science, 152(2), 665–668.

Mani, H., Muhammad, A., & Haruna, F. D. (2017). Response of rice varieties to various planting methods under irrigation at Talata Mafara in Sudan savanna. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 1(1). https://fjs.fudutsinma.edu.ng/index.php/fjs/article/view/1221

Rieffel Neto, S. R., da Silva, P. R. F., Menezes, V. G., & Mariot, C. H. P. (2000). Response of lowland rice genotypes to plant arrangement. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 35(12), 2383–2390. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2000.v35.6035