IFAD/VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN LOGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE.

Abstract

The study examined the contribution of IFAD/Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Cassava production in Logo Local Government Area of Benue state. Nigeria. Functionalism was adopted as a theoretical framework. A sample size of four hundred (400) respondents participated in the study. The questionnaire, Key-informant interview and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were used as data collection instruments. The study found the activities of VCDP on cassava production in the study area to include; the provision of training needs, providing funds to farmers, management and coordination of cassava farm, linking farmers to cassava market, dissemination of good agricultural practices and provision of certified cassava stems to farmers. The study also found IFAD/VCDP challenges on cassava production to include; crises, untimely provision of funds, inadequate processing equipment, illiteracy and resistance to new cassava varieties. The test of hypothesis with regression coefficient predicted a positive relationship between IFAD/VCDP activities and cassava production hence the p-value = .000<.0.05, meaning that IFAD/VCDP activities have a strong positive relationship with cassava production in the study area. Based on the above, the study recommended that the programme should provide more inputs to support cassava farmers, provision of adequate security to the affected areas of the IFAD/VCDP intervention programme on cassava production, educate farmers on IFAD/VCDP programme and the programme should be extended to other wards/LGA areas in the state in order to boot cassava production.