Assessment of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme among Rice Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed growth enhancement support (GES) scheme in Anambra State, Nigeria. The population of the study included all rice farmers that participated in the scheme in Anambra State. Multistage sampling was used, and a combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques was used in selecting a total sample size of 100 respondents. Primary and secondary sources of data were used. Data collected were through the use of an interview schedule and the scheme’s publications. Performance index, percentage and mean were used to analyze data. The result of the findings showed that the scheme had very low performance indices in redemption of inputs (4.7% and 32.4% in 2012 and 2013, respectively). The Scheme made great changes in food productivity (M = 2.70) and farmers’ access to farm inputs (M = 2.55). Farmers had high level of satisfaction on the scheme’s implementation processes in the areas of registration process and quantity of improved seed redeemed. Major challenges identified were poverty (M= 2.32), illiteracy (M= 2.45), poor awareness (M= 2.55), and poor mobile phone possession and usage (M= 2.76). It was recommended that more awareness and adequate training be given to farmers for them to participate actively and for other farmers to join the scheme. Also there is need for the scheme to be passed into law to become policy for continuity and sustainability.

Keywords: Assessment of GES scheme, Anambra State