Effects of Green River Project on Cassava Farmers Production in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the effects of Green River project on cassava farmers’ production in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA of Rivers State. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select the locations of Green River project, cooperative societies and respondents. Using structured questionnaire, a field study was conducted with two hundred and forty (240) cassava farmers (120) for GRP farmers and 120 Non – GRP farmers. Results showed that majority (50.0%) of GRP cassava farmers had farm sizes ranging from 1.1-3.0ha while 52.71% of non-GRP farmers had same farm size. Again, 25.0% of GRP farmers had annual farm income above N90,000 as against 11.6% of non GRP farmers ofsimilar income. The result of the paired treatment test of a difference showed that farm sizes, farm output and farm income of GRP cassava farmers were significantly higher than the non-GRP cassava farmers at 10.0% and 1.0% level of probability. Increase subsidy on farm inputs are advocated in order to encourage the GRP cassava farmers to make use of improved inputs. Frequent visits by GRP extension officers should be intensified for effective technology delivery.