IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDA ON RICE FARMERS’ INCOME IN NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to analyze the impact of agricultural transformation agenda (ATA) on the income of rice farmers in North central zone of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 992 rice farmers comprising 429 respondents from beneficiaries and 563 from the non-beneficiaries. Primary data were collected on   prices of variable inputs of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries and constraints using structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, net farm income analysis, two sample t-test and propensity score matching. The net farm income (NFI) for ATA beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was ₦47,241.42/ha and ₦38,935.35/ha, respectively, an indication that rice production was profitable in the study area. The mean test revealed P≤0.01 statistical difference in the input used by beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. The impact of agricultural transformation program on beneficiaries’ income showed a statistically significant difference between the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. It was concluded that the ATA program had an impact on the beneficiaries’ income thereby enhanced an increased livelihood of the farmers. It was recommended that governments should make provisions for early delivery of agricultural inputs.