AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED FARMERS SCHEME IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Ene, Ukeme and Asa, Ubong

Abstract
This study assessed the performance of Integrated Farmers’ Scheme in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. The research study was necessary to evaluate the objectives of the IFS over a period of time to ascertaine the impact of the scheme in promoting and dignifing farming as a business among youths in the study area. The specific objectives of the study were to; compare the difference in output levels between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the scheme; ascertain the beneficiaries’ level of satisfaction with the scheme; and determine the number of beneficiaries’ whose farming business are still functioning in the scheme. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select two hundred and twenty eight (228) beneficiaries and seventy five (75) non-beneficiaries for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using z-test and Spearman’s rho rank correlation. The z-test analysis result showed a significant difference between output levels of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries on the scheme, since the calculated t-values for crop (2.64) and livestock (2.94) enterprises was greater than the critical t-value (2.41). Majority of the beneficiaries were satisfied with the integrated farmers’ scheme with 8 items out of 11 and with a mean score of 2.50 computed from 4-point likert scale. The findings revealed that majority of the beneficiaries’ farming businesses are still functioning with 69.3%, 94.4%, 83.6% and 65.4% in each of the batches used for the study respectively. It is recommended, among others, that the scheme take cognizance of the needs of the beneficiaries with respect to the volume of loan given to the beneficiaries; the methods of loan disbursement, as well as loan repayment methods, since most of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the volume of loan given by the scheme.