Impacts of commercial agricultural development project (CADP) on farmers’ empowerment in Kaduna State (2010-2016)

Abstract

The study evaluates the impacts of the Commercial Agricultural Development Project (CADP) on the empowerment of farmers in Kaduna State with specific reference to Lere, Giwa and Kubau Local Government Areas for the period of 2010-2016. Survey and documentary research design were employed and data sourced were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively with more emphasis on the later. The study adopted the theory of modernization as theoretical underpinning and was also guided by three hypotheses. The study revealed that CADP has positively impacted on the lives of rural farmers by empowering them through the provision of matching grant, training, provision of farm inputs and developing market opportunities/linkages which are manifested in the improvement in standard of living and the income of farmers. However, it has not succeeded in providing storage facilities, modern farming machinery like tractor, and a fixed/good price for farm products. It therefore, recommends that Kaduna CADP should provide storage facilities and modern farm equipment to farmers.

Keywords: Matching grant, Value chain, Market opportunities, Training, Agricultural output