Evaluation of the Effects of “USAID- MARKETS” Capacity Building of Farmers on Rice Output in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poor yield and low quality of locally produced rice despite many capacity building interventions for rice farmers necessitated this study entitled Effects of “USAID- MARKETS” Capacity Building of Farmers on Rice Output in Kebbi State, Nigeria.Taking an empirical survey, the study comparedoutput and income of the project participants against the non-project participants. Using multi stage sampling techniques, primary data were collected from 240 rice farmers who participated in the training and 240 farmers who did not, through semi-structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The study revealed a significant difference between the output of the project participants and the non-participants. In conclusion, “USAID-MARKETS” capacity buildingsignificantly increased farmers’ rice production and income in the study area, however findings from this study also showed that there was a drop in these variables when compared to what was obtained before the capacity building project ended due to inadequate asses to farm inputs, extension services and ready markets. The study strongly recommends the need to scale up the “USAID-MARKETS” capacity building project in a sustainable manner, improve agricultural input sector and extension services in order to strengthen the capacity of rice farmers for increase output and income.