Contributions Of The Root And Tuber Expansion Programme (Rtep) To Livelihood Development Among Rural Farming Households In Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The primary objective of the study was to identify and assess the contributions of the Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) after three(3) years of implementation
IN Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in the selecting respondents for the study. Overall, 200 farming households/farmers representing 100
beneficiaries and 100 non-beneficiaries respectively were used for the study. Primary
data were generated through interviews using 200 structured questionnaires/interview
schedules. Secondary data were collected from technical reports, and publications
from the Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP) and the Projects Co-ordinating Unit (PCU), and other relevant establishments. The survey results showed that RTEP contributed to rural livelihood development mainly in terms of increased farm household income, farm input provision , extension contact, additional family/farm assets, food security as well as capacity building/skill training and improved storage/preservation methods. However, identified constraints to cassava production, processing and marketing include labour, land tenure system , transportation , farm inputs and capital. Others include equipment/tools, diseases and pests and low market price of cassava products. Although RTEP contributed to rural livelihood development, it is recommended that effective extension system, and a well co-ordinated livelihood development programme should be pursued to achieve greater agricultural productivity, increased household income and poverty reduction.

Keywords: Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP), Livelihood development, rural farming households.

Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 51-57