Comparative Constraints Analysis of small and medium scale rice farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study conducted a comparative constraints analysis of small and medium scale rice farmers in Kogi State Nigeria. Primary Data was used for the analysis of this study through the use of structured questioner on a total sample of 378 rice farmers drawn from three local government that are major producers of rice. Factor analysis was mainly used to analyzed the data collected. Finding shows that land Tenure system, lack of credit, poor marketing outlet, high cost of labour, inadequate capital, inadequate farm inputs supply and high cost of fertilizer are the major constraints of small scale rice farmers in order of their high loading, while lack of credit, inadequate input supply, high cost of fertilizer, land tenure system, poor marketing outlet, inadequate capital and high cost of labour are the major constraints of medium scale rice farmers in order of their high loading. It was recommended that both small and medium scale rice farmers should be given more access to land through proper legislation, adequate farm credit through given of loans at affordable rate and provision of machines to encourage large scale production.