Effective participation in intervention projects: An evaluation of farmers’ participation in NEWMAP livelihood enhancement activities

Abstract

This study assessed farmers’ effective participation and sustainability of NEWMAP project in Southeast Nigeria. Primary data were collected from a total of three hundred and sixty (360) respondents. Objectives were realized using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the beneficiaries' needs were satisfied by NEWMAP activities; such as enhanced their crop farming technical knowledge, enriched their livestock farming experience, and improved their leadership roles. Also, the respondents participated actively in various activities of NEWMAP project in the areas of needs assessment and prioritization, projects planning and design, sensitization meetings, rainwater harvesting activities, baseline survey activities, among others. The mean crop yields obtained before and after the project were 8.291 and 8.747 for maize, 9.042 and 9.917 for cassava, and 6.653 and 8.194 for yam. Also, the result showed that positive and significant relationship exists between the respondents’ perception and participation at 5% level of significance. The test of significance indicated that significant difference exists between perception and participation in NEWMAP livelihood activities with t-value of 8.1349. Based on the findings, the study recommended that prompt payments of funds by federal and state governments should be ensured for sustainability of the project and sustenance of the beneficiaries’ interest.