Yield response of Nigerian rice agriculture (1970-2017)

Abstract

Over the years, the domestic supply of rice has wielded great influence on the food security and self-sufficiency status of Nigerian households, making it one of the principal staple crops in the country. Against this backdrop, this study examines the yield response of rice to climate and non-climate variables in Nigeria. The study was conducted from data extracted from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) database from 1970 to 2017. The data was augmented with rainfall data from National Meteorological Center (NIMET). The Johansen Error Correction Model in a cointegration framework was employed to test the responsiveness of supply to the factors considered. The study revealed that rice yield in Nigeria is non-responsive to real price, exchange rate and climate variables. However, fertilizer consumption significantly influences rice yield in Nigeria.