Entrepreneurial value chain and rural development: A study of rice farmers in selected Local Government Areas of Niger State

Abstract

ABSTRACT One of the major impediments to rural development is the lack of entrepreneurial value chain in production as most agricultural produce meant for the market are always in their primary form. Secondly, an estimated 30% of agricultural produce in rural areas is wasted because of constraints in weak rural value chains. The study examines entrepreneurial rice value chain and rural development in selected communities of Niger state. To achieve this objective, 433 respondents mainly farmers drawn from the population of 953 registered farmers were targeted using quantitative approach and purposive sampling. A structured questionnairewas used as instrument of data collection. Data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study found that entrepreneurial value chain primary and secondary activities have significant positive effect on rural development in Niger State. The study recommends that policy makers in Niger State should have as a major policy objective that promotes entrepreneurial value chain in primary and secondary agricultural activities by investing on extension services and other capacity enhancement programmes to open up the rural areas for rapid development and poverty reduction.