Assessment of Fadama Farming Inile-Ife, Osun State

Abstract

The notion of food security in the global system has been a major issue in the sustainable development programme. The global system has been very keen on the nutritional and hunger eradication level of the world’s population. In line with global initiatives and strategic planning on food security, this study focuses on the impact of Fadama farming on the socio-economic transformation of Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire from a sample of 160 respondents drawn from five (5) randomly selected communities from the study area. The data collected were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency and tables. The findings from this study showed that the majority (60.6%) of them joined their respective Fadama User Groups after it was registered. When compared with their income after joining Fadama, there was a significant increase in their income level as 21.9% of the respondents claimed they received ₦40,000 and above and none of them received below ₦18,000 as just 12.7% received ₦18,000-₦28,000 per month. From the findings, the majority (75.7%) of the respondents fell within the working age or active population. 21.8% agree that Fadama has increased food production, 6.3% of the respondents have built houses out of it and 3% have acquired motorcycles.. The findings from this study implied that the males were more actively involved in Fadama farming than the females; also, enough profit was generated to sustain individual families involved. It was recommended that Government should encourage the education of farmers and also provide loans, agricultural inputs and research assistance