ABSTRACT

The study was designed to examine the National Special Programme for Food Security effect on farmers in Benue State Nigeria. It specifically looked at the socio- economic characteristics of' the farmers in the study area, the type of training received by benefitinu farmers from thc Nationals Special Programme for Food Security the study, also, examined socio-economic factors that influence the level of participation in the Programme and identified the major constraints against National Special Programme for Food Security implementation in Benue State. Primary data were obtained from 120 benefiting and 120 non- benefiting farmes through the use of structured questionnaire, while secondary data were collected from documentations of' the National Special Programme for Food Security. Data analyses were carried out with the usc of frequency, mean, percentages and multiple regression model. The results of data analyses show that the mean age of benefiting farmers was 40 and that of' non benefiting farmers 45 years, indicating that the respondents are adults, matured and energetic to participate in the progranime. There were more male benefiting and non benefiting respondents in the study area. Majority of the respondents were small-holder farmers, married and literate. The results further indicate that socio-economic factors such as age, education, household size and income have significant relationship with the levels of participation of respondents in the study area. Chow test regression income model was used to evaluate the effect of the National Special Prograinme for Food Security on farmers, The major constraints militating against NSPFS implementation include inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, inadequate input supply, high cost of fertilizer, pests and diseased and inadequate storage facilities. Results indicate that a greater proportion of the respondents in the study area received training and education on cl-op intensification technologies like improved crop varieties (75%) and on agro-processing (58.33%) respectively.. Finding from the study reveal that benefiting respondent participated in ID NSPFS activities at varying degrees. Over 46%of the benefiting farmers participated in dry season farming 66.67°/h. garri processing 58.33%, and groundnut shelling 46.66% activities. The mean annual income of benefiting respondents was N61,7167 while the, non-benefiting farmers' mean yearly income was N3 1,4583. Since the Programme coverage was restricted to the 3 senatorial districts (Katsina-Ala for Zone A, Makurdi Zone B, and Otukpo Zone C), the study has recommended that all the twenty-three local government areas should be covered and adequate funds be provided by Government, the World Bank and non-governmental organizations to address food seciirity problems and alleviate poverty in Benue State.