Risk Management Practices Among Rice Farming Households in Anambra State, Nigeria

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the economy relies on agriculture as the cornerstone of its development and Nigeria is not exempted as the nation’s economy depends on agriculture for its development. This study investigated the determinants of risk management practices among rice farming households in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was employed in the random sampling of 115 rice farmers. The results revealed that the most significant environmental risks included pests, diseases, flooding, erosion, and soil fertility depletion. Farmers mitigate these risks through various strategies such as diversification, use of improved inputs, and cooperative marketing. However, the adoption of these practices is constrained by factors such as limited access to finance, lack of farmland, poor technical knowledge, and insufficient access to extension services. The study examined the factors influencing the adoption of environmental risk management practices, including factors like extension contact, farm income, and farming experience. Findings revealed that increased access to extension services, farm income, and greater farming experience significantly enhanced risk management capabilities. The study concluded that reinforcing extension services and improving farmers’ income and experience can significantly enhance the resilience of rice farmers to environmental risks and contribute to agricultural productivity growth in the study area.