ROLE OF RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND COUNCIL IN BOOSTING SESAME PRODUCTION IN KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined the role of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in boosting sesame production in Kebbi State. Two hundred and seventy nine farmers representing twenty percent of the participating farmers were randomly selected and used as sample size for the study. The data collected using structured questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Paired student’s t-test was used to determine whether there is significant difference in sesame production in the state before and after the introduction of the program. The results show that tCalculated and tCritical values are 13.288 and 1.645 respectively. At 0.05 level of significance, tCalculated = 13.288 > tCritical = 1.645, which implies that there is significant difference between sesame production before and after introduction of the program. The relationship between farmers’ yield and their socio-economic characteristics was determined using Regression Model. The socio-economic characteristics were regressed against farmers’ yield and the results suggest that family size is the only socio-economic characteristic that contributes to farmers’ yield. However, the multiple correlations were found significant since rCalculated = 0.490 > rCritical = 0. 195. This shows that there is a significant relationship between the Farmers’ yield and their socio-economic characteristics. The result revealed that farmers within the age group of 31- 40 years with an average of 36 years participated more in the program and there was very low participation of women. Most of the farmers attested that the program had much effect on their income. The major constraints faced by the farmers are untimely disbursement of credit, cumbersome procedure in the administration of the program and late delivery of inputs. Major recommendations are: There should be early supply of inputs, the farmers should be encouraged and supported to form inputs supply cooperatives, timely disbursement of credit, and the farmers should be linked up with Micro finance banks in their areas as an alternative source of income. ABSTRACT The study examined the role of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in boosting sesame production in Kebbi State. Two hundred and seventy nine farmers representing twenty percent of the participating farmers were randomly selected and used as sample size for the study. The data collected using structured questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Paired student’s t-test was used to determine whether there is significant difference in sesame production in the state before and after the introduction of the program. The results show that tCalculated and tCritical values are 13.288 and 1.645 respectively. At 0.05 level of significance, tCalculated = 13.288 > tCritical = 1.645, which implies that there is significant difference between sesame production before and after introduction of the program. The relationship between farmers’ yield and their socio-economic characteristics was determined using Regression Model. The socio-economic characteristics were regressed against farmers’ yield and the results suggest that family size is the only socio-economic characteristic that contributes to farmers’ yield. However, the multiple correlations were found significant since rCalculated = 0.490 > rCritical = 0. 195. This shows that there is a significant relationship between the Farmers’ yield and their socio-economic characteristics. The result revealed that farmers within the age group of 31- 40 years with an average of 36 years participated more in the program and there was very low participation of women. Most of the farmers attested that the program had much effect on their income. The major constraints faced by the farmers are untimely disbursement of credit, cumbersome procedure in the administration of the program and late delivery of inputs. Major recommendations are: There should be early supply of inputs, the farmers should be encouraged and supported to form inputs supply cooperatives, timely disbursement of credit, and the farmers should be linked up with Micro finance banks in their areas as an alternative source of income. ABSTRACT The study examined the role of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in boosting sesame production in Kebbi State. Two hundred and seventy nine farmers representing twenty percent of the participating farmers were randomly selected and used as sample size for the study. The data collected using structured questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Paired student’s t-test was used to determine whether there is significant difference in sesame production in the state before and after the introduction of the program. The results show that tCalculated and tCritical values are 13.288 and 1.645 respectively. At 0.05 level of significance, tCalculated = 13.288 > tCritical = 1.645, which implies that there is significant difference between sesame production before and after introduction of the program. The relationship between farmers’ yield and their socio-economic characteristics was determined using Regression Model. The socio-economic characteristics were regressed against farmers’ yield and the results suggest that family size is the only socio-economic characteristic that contributes to farmers’ yield. However, the multiple correlations were found significant since rCalculated = 0.490 > rCritical = 0. 195. This shows that there is a significant relationship between the Farmers’ yield and their socio-economic characteristics. The result revealed that farmers within the age group of 31- 40 years with an average of 36 years participated more in the program and there was very low participation of women. Most of the farmers attested that the program had much effect on their income. The major constraints faced by the farmers are untimely disbursement of credit, cumbersome procedure in the administration of the program and late delivery of inputs. Major recommendations are: There should be early supply of inputs, the farmers should be encouraged and supported to form inputs supply cooperatives, timely disbursement of credit, and the farmers should be linked up with Micro finance banks in their areas as an alternative source of income.