ASSESSMENT OF USAID MARKETS II SOYBEAN PRODUCTION PROJECT IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

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ASSESSMENT OF USAID MARKETS II SOYBEAN PRODUCTION PROJECT IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The study focused on the assessment of USAID MARKETS II soybean production project in Benue State, Nigeria. The population for the study included all project participant soybean farmers of USAID MARKETS II project. Multistage, purposive, proportionate and random sampling techniques were employed in selecting the respondents for the study. All the eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) participating in the project were used for the study. Two soybean farmers associations (S.F.A.) that participated in the project were randomly selected from each LGA giving a total of sixteen (16) SFAs. Proportionate sampling was used in selecting the respondents from each soybean farmers association (30% of the members of each soybean farmers association was selected to obtain a total of 150 respondents) that was used for the study. Interview schedule was used for data collection. Percentage, frequency, mean score and standard deviation were used to present some of the data while multiple regression and factor analysis were also used to analyze the data. The results of the study revealed that USAID MARKETS II soybean project farmers in Benue State were mainly males who were middle aged with long years of farming experience and large household size. Majority (68.0%) of them acquired land through inheritance. The majority (84.7%) of the farmers participating in USAID MARKET 11 project purchased agro inputs in open market at high price against the original plan of the project. Similarly, the majority (76.7%) of project farmers sold their farm produce in open markets contrary to the price setting and buy back arrangement between USAID MARKETS II and Hule Nig LTD initiated by the project. All the participants grew improved varieties of soybeans but had less access to extension services. Consequently, the farmers had low farm output, yield and income. Project participants had both positive and negative perceptions about the project. The results of the study also revealed that all the respondents adopted technologies such as TGX1448-2E variety of soybean and crop rotation (total adoption score= 750 and mean adoption score=5.00 each). Number of extension contact (t = 3.309; p = 0.001) and membership of farmers’ organizations/ cooperatives (t = -2.048; p = 0.042) were factors influencing adoption of the technologies significantly. The study also revealed that farming experience (t = 2.115; p = 0.36), number of bags of fertilizer applied (t=4.246; p= 0.000) and soybean farm size (t=4.843; p=0.00) significantly influenced soybean output. The study also showed that five out of the eleven variables regressed significantly influenced soybean yield of the farmers. These variables were farming experience (t = 2.162; p = 0.32), number of years spent in acquiring formal education (t=1.99; p= 0.04), quantity of fertilizer applied (t=3.136; p=0.002), soybean farm size (t= -2.931; p=0.004) and number of extension contacts t=2.522; p=0.013). Economic, institutional and linkage constraints were extracted as constraints hindering the success of the project. The study therefore recommended among others active participation of government especially at grass root level in good agricultural projects of this nature initiated and sponsored by internal or external body by way of providing logistic support and frequent monitoring and evaluation of the project. This will help to overcome lapses, boost interest and capabilities of farmers/ participants in the project and ensure success of the project.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Approval Page ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgements v

Table of Contents vi

List of Table ix

List of Figures x

Abstract xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 5

1.3. Purpose of the study 6

1.4. Significance of the study

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 8

2.1. The concept of perception 8

2.2. Review of some agricultural technology / programmes in Nigeria 10

2.2.1. Agricultural policies and programmes in the colonial era. 10

2.2.2. Agricultural policies and programmes in the post- colonial era. 11

2.3. USAID MARKETS II in Nigeria 15

2.3.1. USAID MARKETS II soybeans production technologies in Benue State 16

2.3.2. Kinds of soybean production technologies introduced in Benue State by USAID MARKETS II project 17

2.4. Agronomic practices of soybeans in Nigeria 20

2.4.1. Conditions necessary for soybean production 20

2.5. Production trend of soybean in Nigeria 21

2.6. Factors influencing adoption of agricultural technologies in Nigeria 22

2.6.1. Technology factors 23

2.6.2. Economic factors 24

2.6.3. Institutional factors 26

2.6.4. Household-specific factors 29

2.7. Factors affecting agricultural productivity in Nigeria 31

2.8. Some problems of agricultural programmes/ policies in Nigeria 33

2.8.1. Top-down approach in project design and implementation 33

2.8.1. Bureaucratic bottlenecks 33

2.8. 2. Lack of continuity of agricultural development programmes 34

2.8.3. Non interaction between and among stakeholders 34

2.8.4. Weak agricultural policy 35

2.9. Some strategies for enhancing agricultural programmes/ technologies in Nigeria 35

2.10. Approaches to measurement of adoption of innovation in agriculture 36

11. Adoption theories 37

2.12. Conceptual framework 42

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1. Study area 45

3.2. Population and sampling procedure 46

3.3. Instrument for data collection 47

3.4. Measurement of variables 48

3.5. Data analysis 53

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Socio- economic characteristics of the respondents 54

4.3. Agricultural Characteristics of the respondents 60

4.4. Farmers perception of USAID MARKET II soybean production project 64

4.5. Adoption of soybean production technologies of USAID MARKET II project by the farmers 70

4.4. Factors influencing adoption of USAID MARKETS II soybean production

technologies 80

4.5. Factors influencing output of farmers participating in USAID MARKETSII

project. 82

4.6. Factors influencing yield of farmers participating in USAID MARKETS II

Project 85

4.7. Constraints inhibiting the success of USAID MARKETS II soybean production

Project 88

4.8. Suggested strategies to ensure success of USAID MARKETS II soybean production

project 102

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary 106

5.2. Conclusion 111

5.3. Recommendations 112

References 114

Appendix: Interview schedule for project participants 126

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Soybean is a leguminous plant which scientific name is Glycine max and belongs to family of fabaceae (Heuze & Tran, 2015). It has many common names depending on the region where it is grown.

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