Disease Management Practices among Smallholder Rice Farmers in Kebbi State: A Professional Assessment

Effective disease management is a foundational element of profitable and sustainable rice production, yet smallholder farmers in Kebbi State often lack the knowledge or resources to implement evidence-based plant health strategies. This study assessed the disease management knowledge, practices, and constraints among smallholder rice farmers across three irrigation schemes in Kebbi State, drawing on structured interviews and farm observation protocols applied to 200 households during the 2023 and 2024 dry seasons. The assessment framework examined awareness of major rice diseases, sources of plant health information, types of interventions applied, timing of interventions, and economic barriers to disease management adoption. Results showed that 78 percent of farmers could identify blast disease symptoms but only 31 percent correctly identified the causal organism. Fungicide use was prevalent, with 65 percent of farmers applying products, though 44 percent applied at incorrect growth stages. The primary source of disease management advice was agro-dealer shops rather than extension agents or research stations, with implications for the quality of recommendations received. Economic constraints prevented 58 percent of farmers from accessing recommended fungicide programmes consistently. Farmers operating under cooperative structures showed significantly better disease management practices than independent operators. The study recommends a redesigned extension delivery model integrating community plant clinics, digital advisory platforms, and cooperative disease management input support to improve plant health outcomes in Kebbi State irrigated rice farming. Keywords: rice, disease management, smallholder farmers, Kebbi State, extension.