Root and tuber expansion programme and poverty reduction among farmers in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

This paper evaluates the ex post impact of farmers' adoption of Root and Tubers Expansion Program (RTEP) on yield, crop income and poverty in rural Nigeria by means of primary data collected from 161 households in 3 local government areas in South West Nigeria. Using FGT poverty measures and propensity score matching techniques the study found that poverty incidence is higher by about 23% among non beneficiaries than among the beneficiaries of RTEP. Net yield per hectare increased by a range of about 13.00 to 18.52 metric tons while net crop income per hectare increased by a range of about ₦39,705 to ₦42,133 ($198-211) thus, reducing poverty by about 5 to 20%. The factors that positively influenced the probability of adoption of RTEP were: years of education, social capital, farm size and access to improved planting materials while planting of two or three root crops negatively influenced the probability of adoption of RTEP. Therefore, policy options that favor increased education, farmer group membership and access to improved inputs are recommended to encourage RTEP adoption and further reduce poverty among farmers.

Fertilizer subsidy in Ghana: a gain or loss of cocoa productivity?

“…This increases quantity of fertilizer required, and thus higher quantities of subsidized fertilizer purchased. This finding is consistent with findings of Ogheneruemu and Abdul-Hameed (2017) and Imoru and Ayamga (2015), who reported that income increases farmers' participation in fertilizer subsidy.…”

“…This makes male cocoa farmers enjoy an advantage in benefitting from government interventions like fertilizer subsidy as awareness and information are relevant for participating in new programmes. This finding is consistent with findings of Ogheneruemu and Abdul-Hameed (2017), Chibwana et al. (2012) and Dorward and Chirwa (2011) who reported that male farmers benefit from fertilizer subsidy than females.…”

“…Therefore, cocoa farmers who were members of farmer groups are more likely to access fertilizer subsidy than those who were not. This is consistent with findings of Ogheneruemu and Abdul-Hameed (2017). Subsidized fertilizers are mostly distributed to cocoa farmers in groups since it is easier to deal with farmers in groups than individuals.…”