Impact of Fadama III programme on the income of tuber farmers in north central states of Nigeria: double difference estimator approach

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Fadama III programme on the income of tuber crop farmers in north central States of Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to; describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, determine the impact of Fadama III programme on the income of participants and identify the challenges faced in root and tuber production in the study area. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 934 farmers. Primary data were collected on socioeconomic variables; input – output level of participants and non-participants using structured questionnaires and interview schedules. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, net farm income model and double difference estimator. The results shows that age, family size, farmers’ level of education, farm size, farmers’ farming experience and extension contacts were the socio-economic factors identified and described in the study area. The mean age was 22 years and 34 years respectively for participants and non-participants respectively. The result reveals that the mean farming experience was 23 years and 22 years respectively for participants and non-participants respectively. Similarly, the mean years of education of participants and non-participants were 8 years and 9 years respectively. The mean years of cooperative membership was 7 years and 6 years respectively. The mean farm size of participants and non-participants was 2.6 hectares and 1.50 hectares respectively. About 10% and 8% participants and non-participants of the Fadama III root and tuber crop farmers were singles, 61% and 68% of the participants and non-participants were married, 0% and 11% of participants and non-participants were divorced, and 29% and 11% were widowed. The mean household size of participants and non-participants was 10 persons each. The average number of contacts for the Fadama III root and tuber crop participants was approximately 2 with a standard deviation of 0.76, while that for the non-participants was approximately 1 time. The net farm income (NFI) for Fadama III programme root and tuber crop participants and non-participants before programme intervention were ₦268,195.04 /Ha and ₦287,768.09 /Ha respectively, while the net farm income after the programme intervention were ₦639,584.75 and ₦511,515.40/Ha for participants and non-participants respectively. The double difference figure of 298779.86, F-chow statistic shows that Fadama III root and tuber crop scheme had impact on the participants’ income. The problems encountered by the farmers in the study area are high cost of input, limited finances, bad roads, low produce prices, inadequate fixed inputs, and poor marketing practices, high cost of labour, poor storage facilities, insufficient water and shortage of fertilizer. The study recommends that farmers should be advised through the Agricultural Development Programme in the north central states on resource allocation and management in other to enhance increased net farm income.Keywords: Impact, Fadama III, Income, Tuber crops, Double Difference Estimator