Analysis of institutional factors influencing sustainability of agricultural development programme in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the institutional factors influencing sustainability of agricultural development programme in Adamawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 140 farmers and 40 extension agents. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and personal interviews. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (logit regression analysis) statistics. The results revealed that farming in the study area was mainly dominated by male (79%), and the mean ages of the farmers and extension agents were 42 and 44 years, respectively. The mean of farming experience and working experience for both farmers and extension agents was 22.29 and 17.72 years. Result of logit regression analysis of extension agents revealed that working experience (p > 0.1, 0.081), promotion (p > 0.1, 0.066), possession of mobility (p > 0.1, 0.029) and contact with farmers (p > 0.1, 0.020) were significant and positively influenced sustainability of the programme. Sustainability of the programme was hindered mainly by inadequate extension visit (93.6%), inadequate capital (77.1%), inadequate improved seeds (71.4%) and lack of feeder roads (67.9%) as reported by farmers. It was concluded that sustaining ADP after World Bank funding requires delivery of appropriate extension services and continuous dissemination of technologies. It was therefore recommended that more extension agents should be recruited especially women extension agents to fill the gap in the extension farmer ratio, government and non-governmental organizations should improve the funding of ADPs.