Perceived Benefits of National Fadama Development Project III among Rural Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to appraise the perceived benefits of third national fadama development project III among rural farmers in Kwara state, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in selecting 225 Fadama III users as respondents. Data were collected by well trained fadama community facilitators through the use of structured questionnaire and was analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The result of the findings indicates that majority (36.9%) of the respondents were aged between 46-55 years. Also 63.6% were males, 87.1% were married and only 16.9% had no formal education. Results further showed that maize and Cassava crops were the common crops grown. Advisory services (31%), assets acquisition (32%) and capacity building (25%) were the major were perceived benefits by respondents. Over 33% of respondents, who benefitted directly from Fadama III Project supported activities, have increased their average annual income ranging from N201, 000.00 to N250, 000.00 representing about 62.5% achievement. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) revealed that there is a significant positive correlation at 2-tailed level (p<0.01 and p<0.05) between age, education and the benefit derived from fadama III project. Serious problems to project were poor leadership/management of FCAs/FUGs officers and late release of government counterpart contribution fund. Majority (43.6%) indicated that adequate funding and prompt payment of counterpart fund by government are way out of the problems facing them.Keywords: Fadama III project, Fadama Community Association, Users Group, Kwara Stat