EFFECT OF EXTENSION SERVICE ON SUSTAINABILITY OF RICE PRODUCTION AMONG SMALL HOLDER RICE FARMERS IN BAUCHI LGA BAUCHI STATE

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the effect of extension service on the sustainability of rice production among smallholder rice farmers in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents for the study. The research instrument was a questionnaire. Data were generated using the questionnaire, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that rice production in the study area is partially sustainable, as the sustainability index of 51.0% was recorded, which is slightly above average. The farmers observed that economic problems such as high labor cost (0.802), high cost of fertilizer (0.796), and high price of quality seed (0.710), as well as inadequate capital (0.645), posed the greatest threat to the sustainability of rice production. Natural factors such as erosion menace (0.643), incidence of pests and diseases (0.629), and the effects of floods, drought, and storms (0.625), together with social factors such as lack of access to land (0.892) and poor infrastructure (0.642), were also identified as major challenges. Based on the findings of the study, there is a need for government agencies, relevant non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders to invest in the sustainability of rice production among smallholder farmers in order to ensure a steady supply of rice in the study area. Keywords: Extension service, rice production, sustainability, smallholder farmers, Bauchi State.