Assessment Of Effects Of Fadama Ii Development Project On Rural Communities In Imo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at assessing the effects of Fadama II Development Project on Rural Communities in the three (3) agricultural zones of Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives include to: identify the socio-economic characteristics of the rural farmers that benefited from the Fadama II project across the three agricultural zones; determine the extent of farmers participation in planning, implementation and evaluation of Fadama II project across the three agricultural zones in the state, examine the factors that account for the farmers participation or non-participation in the project; determine the major project components available to Fadama II users in the three agricultural zones of the state; and assess the extent of perceived achievement of Fadama II project on community development in the three zones of the state as well as the level of effectiveness of the project. The Hypotheses are: there is no significant differences between the farmers‟ extent of participation in Fadama II project and rural community development (RCD) within the three agricultural zones of the state; there is no significant relationship between the farmers socio-economic characteristics and their extent of participation in Fadama II project in the state; and there is no significant relationship between the extent of perceived development and the available components of Fadama II in the three agricultural zones of the state. The statistical tools used in the analysis of data included: weighted means, frequencies, percentages, ordinary least square regression analysis (OLS), and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated farming systems (crop and livestock production), mixed farming and agro-forestry were among the major available components. Results indicated that rural community development significantly differed according to the extent of farmer‟s participation levels in the Fadama II project. It was also discovered that a significant relationship exists between farmer‟s socio-economic characteristics and their extent of participation in Fadama II project. Extent of farmers participation in the programme reveals a high participation index at both the planning, implementation and evaluation stages. Apart from co-operative and village council membership, all other included explanatory variables significantly affected farmers‟ participation. The study also recommended a need-felt participatorily inclusive approach to interventionist programme, further mechanization of the farm process as well as impacting need assessment and evaluation skills.

Keywords: Agricultural Zones, OLS, RCD, ANOVA