Assessment of Rice Producers Cooperative in Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed rice producers’ cooperative in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. A total of 120 respondents were selected for the study using purposive sampling technique. Data for the study were collected by the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages mean statistics and Likert scale. The result of the findings revealed that majority (82%) of the respondent were males and 74.2% married. The Major roles performed by rice producers’ cooperatives are facilitating members’ access to land (M = 4.49), Communal manual weeding (M=4.43) and Assists members with farm implements (M=4.30). Poor market infrastructure (M=2.93) and Poor access to extension services (M=2.88) were the major problems affecting respondents. Furthermore, improved market infrastructure (M=3.53) and improved extension contact (M=3.49) were factors revealed that enhance the performance of rice producers. The study therefore recommend that government should provide storage facilities to rice producers in order to store their grains. Good processing facilities should be made available to rice producers cooperative in order to encourage value chain transformation and value addition, government should provide quality extension service delivery that is capable of diffusing technological innovations, as this will improve output of rice producers in the study area.