Third National Fadama Development Project: Prospects and Challenges Facing Yam Farmers in Niger State

Abstract

The study examines the prospects and challenges of the Third National Fadama Development Programme facing yam farmers in Niger state. The Third National Fadama Development Programme has the primary objective of sustainably increasing the income of its beneficiaries (Yam farmers) in Niger State. The study examines the extent to which the third National Fadama Development Programme impacted on the yam farmers’ beneficiaries and the challenges encountered. The study made use of Questionnaires to obtain the data necessary for the study. Secondary data were derived from Fadama III documents, obtained from the Federal, State and Local Government fadama facilitators. The theory of participation was used as a theoretical framework to lend credence to the adoption of the community driven development strategy. The study  found that the project was a success. The simple percentage was used in the analysis. The statistical analysis carried out clearly indicated that fadama III has greatly impacted on yam farmers in Niger State by reducing the beneficiaries distance and travel time to the nearest community, household incomes of the beneficiaries. The socioeconomic characteristics investigated all ran in line with a prior expectation on of the study. The study also discovered that the fadama III yam farmers’ beneficiaries face challenges such as inadequate farm equipment, lack of capital, high cost of transportation, and unavailability of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, improved seeds amongst others. Based on the findings, the study recommended that financial institutions should be encouraged by the government to provide financial assistance to the fadama III yam farmers; yam farmers should also be trained in ways of preserving farm product;,and  the project implementers should harness resources towards rural infrastructural development of the communities.