Extent of Participation by the Rural Farmers in the Presidential Intervention on Cassava Production (PICP) in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Multiple studies on Presidential Intervention on Cassava Programme (PICP) failed to address the participatory aspect of the rural farmers in Kogi State. The study focused on the determination of the extent of participation of the rural farmers on PICP in the study area. The study was guided by one research question and a null hypothesis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted for the study. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used in the research. A total of 800 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the respondents, 753 were returned for analysis which successfully gave 94.1% coverage. The result showed that the extent of participation of the rural farmers in PICP ranged from 9.0% to 10.3% across the Local Government Areas (LGAs). ANOVA test revealed that there was variation in the participation of farmers on the programme. Chi-square test (P=0.00) showed that the extent of participation varied significantly to confirm the acceptance of the alternative hypothesis. Against this background, mass production was lopsided as some LGAs had plenty while others little. This scenario negatively affected farmers’ rural development. The researchers recommended that all the government agencies should embark on sensitization and re sensitization campaign among the farmers, farmers’ prompt empowerment, provision of seedlings, loans to be distributed by farmers themselves when given.