Attitude of farmers towards cost-sharing mechanism in the third National Fadama development project (FADAMA III) in Gokana LGA of Rivers State

Abstract

This study examined the attitude of farmers towards cost-sharing mechanism in the third National Fadama Development Project (NFDP-III) in Gokana LGA of Rivers State. It specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of Fadama III beneficiaries in the area, examined the attitude of Fadama III beneficiaries towards cost sharing mechanism and also examined the constraint to effective implementation of cost-sharing mechanism of Fadama III project in Gokana LGA. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and interview schedule from a total of 80 Fadama III beneficiaries who were selected using multistage sampling techniques. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that 60% of the farmers were male, while 41.2% of them were in the age bracket of 35 to 44 years. The results further showed that the farmers agreed with the statements that participation in cost sharing of Fadama III project is necessary to achieve increased agricultural productivity and income (Mean=3.58), and that cost sharing of the Fadama III project is necessary to increase cooperation among the farmers (Mean=3.32).The farmers further indicated that late disbursement of funds by African Development Bank (Mean = 2.62) and poor government commitment to implementation of the cost sharing policy in the program (Mean =3.55) were the problems militating against the effective implementation of the cost-sharing mechanism of the project. The study recommends improved collaboration among stakeholders to enhance adequate implementation of cost-sharing in such projects.