Green Alternative Policy and Rice Production in Ebonyi State

Matching Policy Ambition with Evidence

Abstract

This paper, focused on rice production, examined the Green Alternative Agricultural Promotion Policy of the Muhammadu Buhari administration (2015 – 2023), which goals were to make Nigeria not only self-sufficient in rice production but to become net exporter of rice by 2018, and to see the extent this policy ambition was realized, using evidences from Ebonyi State. The objectives being to ascertain annual rice output; rate of adoption of modern input by rice farmers; possible challenges; and how output was affected by absence of production incentives. Survey design was adopted to generate data from the sampled towns and villages. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 1,080 respondents from the three zones in the state. Guided by the Eastonian systems theoretical framework of analysis, the study revealed that despite observed steady rise in output during the period the Green Alternative Policy was implemented, there was still national shortfall that was made up with imports. It also showed that while adoption of modern inputs, such as new rice varieties and use of fertilizer was high, use of mechanical equipment was non-existent. Farmers were confronted with numerous challenges which constrained output. It was recommended that rice farming be made a priority sector and a profitable venture; support the small farmer with necessary incentives; provide plant hiring at cheap cost, and provide seamless access to credit facilities if food security must be achieved.