PUBLIC POLICY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN TARABA STATE

Abstract

The attainment of food sufficiency and security vis-à-vis improving the living standard
of the rural dwellers are some of the goals of Taraba Agricultural Development
Programme (TADP). This study assessed the impact of TADP on the quality of lives of
the rural residents in Taraba State. Data used in this study were basically secondary in
nature. Using the Elite theory as a framework of analysis, the study examined the
challenges of Taraba policy makers in the area of agriculture for sustainable
development and discovered that despite the good intention and policy design of the
TADP, the programme has not achieved its set objectives due to poor funding,
understaff, corruption and mismanagement of public funds amongst others. Arising
from the above therefore, the study suggested the urgent need of the government to
increase the funding of the agency; develop a more pragmatic strategy of ensuring
transparency and accountability in the management of the State's scarce resources
and employ additional extension service staff, so that the agency can attain its goal
of food sufficiency and security in the State.