ABSTRACT

This study focused on the evaluation of rural women mobilisation for wealth creation with particular reference to Abia State Fadama III Project. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the rural women who participated in Fadama III Project, evaluate the effects of Fadama III Project financing on income generation of rural women, ascertain the impacts of Fadama III Project capacity building on the productivity of the rural women in different programmes, and identify the challenges faced by rural women in wealth creation through Fadama III Project in Abia State. The study adopted survey research design and expo-factor research design. Descriptive statistics; gross margin, profit function and net farm income analysis, Ordinary Least Square Regression and Multiple Regression analysis were used to analyse the study objectives and to test the hypotheses posited. The following were the major findings: Education level of the farmer, farmer family size, farmer farm size, farmer farming experience, contact with extension agents, and farmer corporative membership are the socio-economic characteristics that impacts on the productivity of the farmers. An average rural women under Fadama III Project were able to generate ₦828,000, ₦1, 605,000, ₦3, 285,000 and ₦112,500 in crop production, livestock production, fish production and agro forestry respectively as excess proceed accruing from the Fadama III Project initiative. Fadama III Project Financing with the coefficient regression of (21.791) is significant and positively related to the income generation of rural women in Abia State at 1% level (Sig < .01). Fadama III Project capacity building with the coefficient regression of (1926.509) is significant and positively related to the productivity of the rural women in different programmes at 1% level (Sig < .01). Based on these findings, the study concluded that Fadama III Project leads to the mobilisation and wealth creation among rural women in Abia State. Thus, the following recommendations were outlined: World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria and Abia State Government should sustain the project to encourage more wealth creation, reduce rural poverty and boost food security in Nigeria and Abia State in particular. However, based on the project evaluation, the project coordinators need to strengthen the project effectiveness by eliminating and reducing the impediments that militated on the project implementation, viability and participants’ effectiveness and efficiency in wealth creation and in boosting food security.  The need to ensure that capacity building programmes continues to be an integral part of the project as it increase the proficiency, skills and expertise of the rural farmer in adopting and adapting to innovations and improved farming techniques was emphasized.