ABSTRACT

This study examined the economics of i-ice production in Abia State ,Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents were purposely selected and interviewed for the study. Information on variable inputs and output coeffiencient as well as socio-economic factors such as age, sex, level of education, household size and farm size of the respondents affecting the level of participation in rice production were determined .The result reviewed that rice production in the study area is a profitable venture. From the production function results, fertilizer use, farm size and labour were all positive determinants to rice production at ten percent, one percent, and percent level of significance. F-test ratio was significant at one percent. The Z-statistics was used to determine the output differential between male and female rice farmers constraints in rice production like poor state of roads, lack of investment funds and lack of poor input, etc were also identified. Policies that will ensure the availability of farm input, credit facilities, infrastructural facilities and gender sensitive policies should be formulated.