ABSTRACT

 The study investigated the Impact of the National Fadama Development Project (NFDP) facilities in alleviating rural poverty. Imo State was used as a case study. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from 54 respondents, comprising 27 beneficiaries and 27 non-beneficiaries of the NFDP in Imo State. Information sort included age, education attainment, household size, farming experience, value of improved facilities, credit received from NFDP, Amount spent of children education, annual farm income, asset owned, credit received on farming before NFDP, labour. The data collected were analyzed by the use of the Foster, Greer and Thoemke (F—G—T) measure of poverty, multiple regression analysis, descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequencies. The result indicated that majority of the farmers were females in both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, with an age range of 3 5-49 years for both categories of respondent. Results suggested that farmers funded their production with 70% loan facility from NFDP and 30% equity contribution. Most of the respondent (5 5%) participated in oil production by acquiring more milling machines and less in piggery production (4%). Furthermore, the result shows that off farm income, farm income and Fadama facilities have significant positive relationship with poverty alleviation at 1% alpha level. For non-beneficiaries of NFDP facilities, the significant variables are fann income, farming experience, labour and education attainment. The major factors constraining participation in the use of Fadama facilities include inadequate funding, and poor logistic support. The study recommends an upward review of the credit facility as well as close monitoring by NFDP to improve the level of asset acquisition by farmers which invariably reduces their poverty level.