IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (IFAD) ON RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

• Main Authors: C.O. Albert, B. Deekor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AcademicPres 2013-12-01
• Series: Agricultura
• Online Access: http://journals.usamvcluj.ro/index.php/agricultura/article/view/9981

The study analyzed the impact of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in rural and agricultural development in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. The study was carried out in Jkwerre Local Government Area of the State. Questionnaire and Interview schedule were used to elicit information from ninety five farmers. Simple random sampling was used to select 3 communities namely: Ozuaha, Ubima and Apani. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics Findings from the study, revealed that the types of projects implemented by IFAD include: construction of classrooms (97.7%), training of women, men and youths in skills acquisition (93.1%), water borehole (98.9%) , renovation of schools (93.1%) and leadership training/seminar (89.7%). Effects of the projects on participating people and communities are: improvement in agricultural method, access to good drinking water, human capacity development, improvement of rural people’s income and increased productivity. Non-payment of counterpart fund, lack of funds and counterpart fund not provided in time were the factors militating against the activities of IFAD in the study area. The study therefore, recommended that counterpart funds should be paid regularly and also provided on time by all participating IFAD Local Government Areas.