Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

Rice and the Mirage of Food Security: Examining the Production and Marketing Value Chains of Rice in Taraba State, Nigeria, 1991-2023

Article Sidebar

Paddy Rice Cultivated Area and Production Volume
Download PDF
Submitted   Jun 1, 2026
Published   Aug 12, 2026
Issue    Vol 7 No 1 (2026)
DOI   10.25082/IJAH.2026.01.009

Views

0

Downloads

0

Citations

PlumX Metrics

Main Article Content

John Tenong Francis corresponding author
Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
Peter Wilfred Naankiel
Department of History and International Studies, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Fatima Aliyu Akanza
Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
Crossmark logo

Abstract

Nigeria is the leading rice producer in Africa, but still relies on import to satisfy local demand. This is particularly the case where current statistics shows that rice demand in the country stands at ten thousand metric tons, against seven thousand metric tons the country currently produces. Taraba State which is one of the leading producers of rice in the country, still falls short of demand within the state. Hence, the study focused on interrogating the rice production system or the agronomic practices accountable for rice output, and the marketing value chains responsible for value allocation. The study engaged qualitative approach, and was anchored on Marx's theory of primitive accumulation. The findings indicate that problems associated with input supply, extension services, and optimal agronomic practices are in short supply. The market system is also confronted with issues relating to basic infrastructures such as road, warehouses, and transport system leading to the deprivation of farmers from surpluses thereof. Thus, the state government need to midwife these processes and practices to ensure bumper harvest, and food sovereignty.

Keywords
rice value chain, food insecurity, primitive accumulation, smallholder farmers, Taraba state, agricultural governance

Article Details

How to Cite
Francis, J. T., Naankiel, P. W., & Akanza, F. A. (2026). Rice and the Mirage of Food Security: Examining the Production and Marketing Value Chains of Rice in Taraba State, Nigeria, 1991-2023. International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 7(1), 487-501. https://doi.org/10.25082/IJAH.2026.01.009
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

References

  1. Abdullahi, M. M. (2015). Analysis of rice farmers’ access to output market and profit efficiency in Kano State, Nigeria (Master’s dissertation). Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
  2. Akande, S. O., & Akpokodje, G. (2003). Rice prices and market integration in selected areas in Nigeria. USAID.
  3. Bakare, A. (2021). The growing rice pyramids. CBN UPDATE, 3(5).
  4. Benjaminsen, T. A., & Bryceson, I. (2012). Conservation, green/blue grabbing and accumulation by dispossession in Tanzania. Journal of Peasant Studies, 39(2), 335-355.
  5. Blench, R. (2004). Natural Resource Conflicts in North-Central Nigeria.
  6. Daudu, C. K., Yakubu, A. A., Sambo, I. J., Okworie, E., Adeosun, J. O., & Onyibe, J. E. (2014). Rice production, processing, utilization and marketing in Nigeria. Extension Bulletin, 230.
  7. Dodo, Z. U., Nuhu, M. B., Ogunbajo, R. A., & Ayoola, A. B. (2024). Assessment of Public Real Estate Investment Performance in North Central Nigeria: A Literature Review.
  8. Ekelund Jr, R. B., Hébert, R. F., & Tollison, R. D. (1989). An economic model of the medieval church: usury as a form of rent seeking. The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, 5(2), 307-331.
  9. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. (2020). National rice development strategy (NRDS). Abuja, Nigeria.
  10. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2008). An introduction to the basic concepts of food security. Rome, Italy.
  11. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2023). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2023. Rome, Italy: Author.
  12. Griffin, K. (1974). The political economy of agrarian change: An essay on the green revolution. Harvard University Press.
  13. International Rice Research Institute. (2013). Rice almanac (4th ed.). Los Baños, Philippines.
  14. Jiddah, I. M. (2002). Agriculture in Nupeland: Rice production and others. In A. A. Idrees & Y. A. Ochefu (Eds.),Studies in the history of central Nigeria area (Vol. 1). CSS Limited.
  15. Kamai, N., Omoigui, L. O., Kamara, A. Y., & Ekelemem, F. (2020). Guide to rice production in Northern Nigeria. Ibadan, Nigeria: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
  16. Longtau, S. R. (2003). Multi-agency partnerships in West African agriculture: A review and description of rice production systems in Nigeria. Jos Plateau State, Nigeria: Eco-systems Development Organisation.
  17. Mellor, J. W. (1966). The economics of agricultural development. Cornell University Press.
  18. NAERLS & FMARD. (2020). Wet season agricultural performance in Nigeria. NAERLS Press. https://www.naerls.gov.ng
  19. National Bureau of Statistics. (2007). Filling data gaps on agricultural statistics 1994/95–2005/06. Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  20. National Bureau of Statistics. (2019). National survey on exportable agricultural commodities in Nigeria, 2017–2019.
  21. Ogunniyi, A. A., Omotayo, K. O., Olagunju, O. A., & Aremu, A. O. (2021). Rice production and food security in Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 16(4), 412–420.
  22. Oikeh, S. O., Nwilene, F. E., Agunbiade, T. A., Oladimeji, O., Ajayi, O., Semon, M., Tsunematsu, H., & Samejima, H. (n.d.). Growing upland rice: A production handbook. Africa Rice Center.
  23. Oluwatoyin Olorunsanya, E., & Utsunu Ugbong, J. (2014). Rice Marketing as a Means of Poverty Alleviation in Niger State, Nigeria. Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica, 47(4), 137–141. https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2014-0019
  24. Phillip, D., Jayeoba, O. O., Ndirpaya, Y., & Oluwole, F. (2018). Innovation opportunities in the rice value chain in Nigeria. FARA Research Report, 2(3).
  25. PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited. (2018). Boosting rice production through increased mechanization. PWC.
  26. Roll, E. (1992). La economía y la política económica algunas tendencias recientes. El Trimestre Económico, 59(234 (2), 388-396. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23398190
  27. Selbut, R. L. (2003). A review and description of rice production systems in Nigeria. Ecosystems Development Organisation, WIS Partners Building, 5 Lugard road, Jos Plateau, Nigeria.
  28. Smith, C. W., & Dilday, R. H. (Eds.). (2003). Rice: Origin, history, technology and production. John Wiley & Sons.
  29. Taraba Agricultural Development Programme. (2015). Background information on rice potentials.
  30. Taraba State Agricultural Development Project. (2024). Rice production in Taraba State, 2022–2023.
  31. Taraba State National Fadama Development Project III. (2015). Third National Fadama Development Project report.
  32. Thrive Agric. (2020). Statistics: Rice production in Nigeria.
  33. Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2020).Economic development (13th ed.). Pearson Education.
  34. Tondel, F., Hathie, I., & D’Alessandro, C. (2020). Outcomes of dialogue on rice sector development and trade policies in West Africa. Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale, 1–7.
  35. Udemeze, J. C. (2018). Analysis of rice production and consumption trends in Nigeria. Journal of Plant Science and Crop Protection, 3, 28–35.
  36. Umiyati, U., Widayat, D., Wahyudin, A., & Triazahra, M. M. (2024). Impact of 240 g/L glyphosate IPA on weed control and upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and yield in a no-tillage system. Research on Crops, 25(3), 379–387. https://doi.org/10.31830/2348-7542.2024.ROC-1106
  37. Zubairu, E. A., Kasari, A. D., & Jongur, A. U. (2018). Technical Efficiency of Cassava Production in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 6(4).