The production of Hevea planting materials was evaluated by selecting 33 rubber budders engaged at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) Main Station Nursery Iyanomo in 2007 budding operation. Data collected were subjected to.descriptive statistics, labour productivity analysis, Likert models and budgetary technique. Empirical results of the analysis showed that among the budders, females (60.61%) dominated the budding operations and all budders had formal education in one form or the other. Budding provided employment with a mean monthly wage of N 28132.22. Labour productivity analysis indicated a total Hevea planting material production success of 55 per cent with an average labour productivity of 44 budded seedlings per day. The analysis also revealed a gross and net labour productivity of N 547.77 and N 111.11. Cost and return analysis revealed a gross margin and net farm income of N 17757.20 and N 7445.61, respectively. Likert analysis also showed that the identified constraints viz. inadequate wages/salaries, irregular payment-of wages, inadequate transport, inadequate housing facilities and casualisation were the significant factors affecting budders' productivity. Recommendations have also been put forth to overcome the identified constraints.
Budders, Hevea, Labour productvity, Likert analysis, Nigeria, Presidential initiative.