IMPACT OF NATIONAL FADAMA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ON PROFITABILITY AND ORGANISATION OF SMALL IRRIGATED FARMS IN ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examine the impact of National Fadama Development Project (NFDP) on resource use enterprise combination, income and optimum organization of small irrigated farms in Zamfara State. To achieve the objectives of the study, data were collected from 40 farmers participating in the Project and 40 non-participants who were selected through a combination of multi-stage and stratified sampling methods. Descriptive statistics, farm budgeting and linear programming Mere used to analyse the data. The results showed that participating farmers used more resources and earned higher incomes than the non-participants. Furthermore, they produced more crop enterprises. The linear programming analysis rescaled that opportunities exist for increasing profit through resource reorganization It also showed that such reorganisation would yield more income to the participants than the non-participants It Mas concluded that the NFDP had made positive impact on fadama farming in the area To increase participation, it was suggested that the usual requirement for farmers to deposit some money before benefiting from the Project should be waived for farmers who are unable to pay. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of soil and water quality as well as ground water table was advocated, in order to ensure sustainability of fadama irrigation in the area.