COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF RICE PRODUCTION UNDER WEED CONTROL METHODS IN LAFIAGI AREA OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Field experiments were conducted toevaluate the profitability of rice production at Lafiagi, Kwara State, Nigeria. Tfc= treatments consisted of 15 weed control methods. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block desigt— replicated three times. Results revealed that the use of Top star (Oxadiargyl 400 g/l)as pre emergence herbicide a— the rate of 0.8 liters ha1 and any of the following post emergence herbicides; Solito (300 g Pretilachlor + 20 g pyribenzoxim ) at the rate of 1.5 liter ha \ Orizo plus (360 g Propanil + 200g 2,4-D ) at the rate of 10 liters ha Nominee Gold (Bisbyribac sodiumlOOS.C ) at the rate of 0.4 liters ha1 and Profit (170 g Pretilachlor +330g propanil) at the rate of 6 liters ha1 at 6 WAS produced significantly higher yields and higher gross margin as compared to the control ( hoe weeding at 3,6 and 9 WAS) and other treatments considered in this trials. The use OjB Topstargave the highest cost- benefit return ofN7.1,122% gain over the control, followed by the use ofTopstar ancm application of Nominee at 6 WAS thatproduced cost- benefit returns ofN5.8,80% gain over the control. Application ofTopstar and roe weeding at 6 WAS also gave N5.6, which is 75% higher than the control. Labour requirements were reduced by the application of Topstar. It was concluded that herbicides application has increased yield and profitability of rice production and labour demand was reduced. It was therefore recommended that for successful rice production the use of per emergence herbicides and post emergence herbicides should be adopted by farmers in the study area.