Abstract
The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of the Fadama development project on the income and standard of living of the farming families of the dry season farmers in Gombe state. Data were obtained from a survey of 302 farmers randomly selected from 82 samples of the Fadama associations that benefited from the Fadama loan in all the local government areas of Gombe state. The result showed that the income of the farmers has increased significantly as a result of Fadama project activities. Farmers were able to purchase more personal belongings. The Fadama development project has also improved the living standard of the loan benefiting members in the state in term of possession of more personal belongings, modern housing and social infrastructures. One major problem facing the project is the conflict between farmers and pastoralists. This has affected dry season farming in certain areas of the state as life and property were lost and or damaged during such conflicts. Other problems included high cost of petrol, lack of good market, small size of holding, land tenure system, lack of active apex association, poor government support and inputs(seeds, fertilizers and pesticides) availability in rural areas. To sustain and improve upon the level achieved the state agricultural development project should to be funded adequately.
Highlights
Fadama development started on a limited scale in the Northern zone of the former Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme in 1982
The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of the Fadama development project on the income and standard of living of the farming families of the dry season farmers in Gombe state
Data were obtained from a survey of 302 farmers randomly selected from 82 samples of the Fadama associations that benefited from the Fadama loan in all the local government areas of Gombe state
Summary
Fadama development started on a limited scale in the Northern zone of the former Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme in 1982. Following the success of the programme in the state, the national Fadama Development project was introduced to other states. Appraisal for the project was conducted in February 1992 and a loan package of US$ 10.3 Million dollars to finance a project for developing Fadama lands (floods plains), by introduction of a small – scale irrigation, was approved. The Fadama development project in the state has the following tasks to accomplish. The Construction of 656 tube wells by drilling and 5000 washbores over a period of four (4) years; Construction of 90km of Fadama access roads and storage facilities; Organizing farmers into Fadama Users Association (FUA) for better access to credit and improved irrigation management and coordinated marketing of produce; Improve infrastructure within the Fadama and water lifting equipment (water pump) for irrigation purposes; Privatizing drilling activities and building the capacity of the farmers in support of Fadama development
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