ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to determine farmers‟ participation in Growth Enhancement Support scheme (GESS) programme in Kaduna State. The output and income of participants and those who did not participate in the GESS programme were also compared. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 180 respondents. Primary data were collected through the use of questionnaires and interview schedule and were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The main source of agricultural information was radio. Regression analysis showed that level of age, extension contact, yield and income status were significantly related with level of participation. The mean output of GESS participants (2550kg) was significantly higher than non-GESS participants (857kg). The difference in the mean output levels was largely attributed to participation in GESS programme. Calculated Z-statistic value (246.02) for income was significant at 5%. A major challenge reported by the farmers and agro dealers, and corroborated by the State GESS coordinators, is the timing of input delivery. It is imperative that inputs are delivered to agro dealers before the planting season commences, usually around March/April. To achieve this, preparations required to ensure these dates are met should be made well ahead of time. Farmers were generally able to purchase the required types of fertilizer, as it appears NPK and Urea is the main types of fertilizer in demand across the states surveyed. However, there were complaints from some farmers that the types of fertilizer supplied were not right for the local soil types. Consideration of the local soil types and crops grown should be made in determining the type fertilizer supplied for each. Also the current two 50kg bags of fertilizer available to farmers under the scheme were found to be inadequate to meet the needs of farmers, even the smallholders. Considerations should be made to increase the number of bags available under the scheme. To sustain this laudable effort of government, the planning of food production should be a conscious collaboration among several groups, namely state government, private enterprises, training and research institutions and, non-governmental organization. The findings concluded that the difference in the mean income could be attributed to their participation in GESS programme. Therefore continuity of the scheme without misplacing its priority is paramount and recommended