Strategies for Enhancing Rice Innovation System in Southeast Nigeria

This study examines strategies for enhancing rice innovation system in Southeast Nigeria. Four hundred and ninety six (496) purposively selected actors in rice innovation system were used. Information was collected using questionnaire and interview schedule for illiterate farmers. The data analysis was done using mean statistics. Findings indicated that farmers perceived nursery preparation (2.9), fertilizer/agro-chemical application (2.9), harvesting (2.8), planting (2.7), threshing/winnowing/drying (2.7) and others as the most important production activities performed in rice production. Individual actors vary in their perception of strategies for enhancing rice innovation system. The researchers, policy institutions, marketers and consumers indicated that ban on rice imports, establishment of destoner and mills, and promotion of NGO involvement, set pre-season prices, subsidy on fertilizer, intensifying research and promotion of active extension were perceived as effective strategies for enhancing rice innovation system. The findings point to the fact that enhancing rice innovation system should be a result of interaction of mix of variables and subsequently multiple actors. Also the pivot roles of policy and infrastructure environment are implied. Therefore the study recommends that policies be enacted to stimulate innovative culture in the system, influence the infrastructure /investment environment. Intervention and policy should target building capability of the actors particularly the productive sector (farmers) in critical production activities. In conclusion, strategies for enhancing rice innovation system should be holistic and focused on existing strength, weakness, threat and opportunity in the system.