Assessing the effectiveness of agricultural innovation intervention in Benue State, Nigeria: Evidence from e-wallet scheme

Abstract

This study is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the performance E-Wallet powered growth enhancement support scheme on crop farmer’s beneficiaries in Katsina –Ala local government of Benue State. A total of 89 crop farmers E-Wallet beneficiaries across the study area were sampled through a simple random method. Data was collected through structured interview scheduled and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. Farmers mean age was 35years, majority (81%) were married, and most (88.9%) perceived the delivery of farm input has been untimely. There was no supply of fertilizer in the redemption centers at the on-set of the farming season and 56.8% of the farmers perceived that accessing farm input through the E-Wallet platform was favourable. A chi-square analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between farmer’s personal characteristics and their perception of E-wallet platform, the results showed that Farming experience and level of education is significantly related to the farmer’s perception of the effectiveness of the E-Wallet platform. However, 66.9% of the respondents indicated non-commitment of ADP staff as a major constraint, distance to redemption centres, less quantity of agro-inputs allocation and interference of operation by influential politicians may hamper the scheme if urgent actions are not taken. It was therefore recommended that increase government expenditure to the agricultural sectors so that government can procure sufficient farm inputs, timely delivery of inputs and establishment of more redemption centres within short distance from the farmers as this will certainly make the scheme to impact more on the beneficiaries.