Abstract:
This study examined effects of Fadama III project on the income of farmers in Ondo State Nigeria. Specifically, it identified the activities of the third National Fadama Development Project (NFDP III) to increase the income of participants, and it also assessed how the adopted strategies have influenced the lives of the respondents and communities. The study was conducted using primary data. The research instruments used include; interview schedule and a well-structured questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting one hundred and eighty four (184) respondents from four Local Government Areas (LGAs) that have benefited from the Fadama III project. Data collected was analysed by using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, and inferential statistical tools such as Chi-square and paired sample T-test. The mean annual income for the Fadama participant group before intervention by Fadama III was ₦51,324.00, while for the non-participants; the mean annual income was ₦81,750.00. The Chi square analysis showed that there is no significant relationship between farm years (r2=4.35, p=0.23), and age (r2=3.95, p=0.27). Result also revealed that sex (χ2=0.33, p=0.003), education level (χ2=15.79, p=0.003), and marital status (χ2=16.18, p=0.003) showed significance at 5% level of significance. Paired sample T-test analysis revealed a significant difference in the income of Fadama III participants and non-participants and the result is presented as follows: there is a statistically significant increase in income of Fadama III participants before intervention (𝑀 = 51354.17, 𝑆𝐷 = 27387.52) and after intervention (𝑀 = 120208.33, 𝑆𝐷 = 81022.48), 𝑡(143) = 13.48). The study recommends that the National Fadama Development Project (NDFP) should put in place proper measures to execute project to specification in order for it to positively impact the lives of farmers. Agricultural operations are time bound, thus there should be timely and adequate provisions of agricultural inputs, irrigation facilities like water pumps, tube wells, pipes and so on at a subsidized cost by the National Fadama Development Project.
