Assessment of Linkages between Agro-input Dealers and Other Stakeholders in Rice Production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Nwobodo Cynthia Ebere *
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Ajah Okechukwu Elom
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study assessed the linkages between agro- input dealers and other stakeholders in rice production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting sixty (60) respondents used for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule and were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and mean statistics. Findings revealed that majority (96.7%) of the respondents were male, the mean age of the respondents was 35.58 years, and majority (60%) was married. Findings show that majority (93.3%), of the input dealers, used mobile phone in interacting with farmers, 93.0% used office/home visit in interacting with fellow agro-input dealers, 83.3% used personal/one-on-one contact in interaction with agro-input manufactures, and 71.7% used personal/one-on-one contacts in interaction with extension. The majority (98.3%) of respondents indicated that the area of interaction with farmers was a business deal, 96.7% also indicated that area of interaction with fellow agro- input dealers were business deal, 73.3% indicated that area of interaction with extension was welfare. Also, results show that respondents had strong linkage with rice farmers (M= 1.90), and fellow input dealers (M= 1.7). It was recommended that linkages between agro-input dealers and relevant stakeholders should be mainstreamed. Policy makers, development agencies, research and extension should prioritize agro-input dealers as major players for the development of rice sub-sector in the area.
Keywords: Linkages, rice production, agro-input dealers, agricultural stakeholders