Fadama programme and Food Security in Nigeria: a Case Study of Cross River State, Nigeria

Nobody denies the reality that food is essential to life with all living organisms (Man inclusive). In this light, FADAMA Development Project is a World Bank development programme which collaborates with the Federal, State and local governments in Nigeria in agricultural productivities, especially in areas of food security livelihoods sustenance and poverty reduction. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of Fadama Development Project on food security in Cross River State, Nigeria. The survey inferential research design has been adopted for the study. The study areas cover the Bekwarra local government area in the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Yakurr local government area in the Central Senatorial District of the state as well as Akpabuyo local government representing the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The stratified random and purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. Sample size of 1500 (i.e., 500 for each geopolitical zone under the study) was selected for the study. Hypotheses were formulated in line with the objectives of the study; t-test or one sample mean (also known as population t-test) was employed to test the hypotheses. Based on data analysis and empirical findings, it was discovered that the Fadama project has contributed to food availability and also to accessibility and affordability of food distribution, some recommendations were made among which is that Government and relevant authorities should through agricultural programmes such as FADAMA ensure adequate provision of financial incentives to farmers that is sufficient enough to boost food production and gearing of rural farmers’ incomes in the upward direction that consequently ensures reduction in rural poverty.

Keywords: Fadama programme, food security, food accessibility, food affordability, poverty reduction and socioeconomic status of farmers