CONTRIBUTION OF INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (IFAD) ON CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined the contribution of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on cassava production in Benue state. The main objective of the study was to, explore the effect of IFAD programme on cassava farmers. Diffusion of innovation was adopted as theoretical framework. A sample size of four hundred (400) respondents participated in the study. Questionnaires was used as instrument of collection. The respondents comprising of IFAD beneficiaries on cassava production in Logo, Guma and Ogbadibo cluster were snow-balled for the study. The study found that before IFAD intervention, the rate of cassava production in Benue State was poor. IFAD contributed funds, fertilizer, increased market outlet and provide agro- chemical to cassava producers and this has improved farmers harvest as well as income realized from the sales of cassava products. A test of hypothesis shows a positive effect of IFAD programme on income of cassava producers hence P-value = 0.00, i.e. P<0.05 values. Based on the findings, the study recommends that cassava farmers in Benue State should be properly educated on IFAD programme, timely provision of counterpart funds, linking of cassava farmers to the market, provision of new technology to process bi-products of cassava and security should be adequately provided to enhance peace in the affected areas and that the programme should also be extended to the entire Benue state but not just limiting to the five (5) selected local government areas.