Evaluation of the Benefits of Crop Farmers Participation in IFAD-CASP Program in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study looked at the advantages of crop farmers participating in the IFAD-CASP programme in Zamfara State, Nigeria. To collect data  from the 360 respondents chosen for the study, an interview schedule and focused group discussion (FGD) were used. The respondents  were chosen using a multistage and simple random sampling procedure. For data analysis, descriptive statistical tools (mean,  percentages, frequency distribution) and a 5-point Likert scale were utilized. According to the study's findings, the majority of  respondents were married, with an average household size of 8 people and a monthly income of less than N 20,000. The study discovered  that the benefits of participating crop producers in IFAD-CASP are that their participation in the programme resulted in an  increase in high yield with a (mean = 3.97), an increase in food security with a (mean = 3.84), and this was attributed to the participating  crop producers' high level of adoption of recommended practices. The findings also indicated that the IFAD-CASP programme in the  study area had increased the yield of the participants and helped in the dissemination of improved farming technologies that help to  boost their productivity with a (mean = 3.69), creating awareness on climate change with a (mean = 3.68), reducing poverty with a (mean  = 3.36) and creating off season business activities with a (mean = 3.36). Based on the study's findings, it is possible to conclude that rural  banditry contributes to bad economic growth, increased rural poverty, low participation, and poor programme execution, as well as  instilling fear and uncertainty. As a result, the study recommends that the government urgently provide adequate security personnel to  man the porous borders, enrol the vulnerable in government social investment programmes, organize training/seminars for peace  building purposes, and that the government register all mining sites and properly monitor their activities.