An assessment of the effect of the National Fadama Development Programme on resource use in pepper production in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The role played by small-scale irrigation scheme was examined through an evaluation of the National Fadama Development Programmme in Zamfara State. One hundred and sixty respondents comprising eighty participants and eighty non-participants in the programme that grow Pepper were selected through Multi-stage random sampling. Data generated from the study were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Farm budgeting, and Production Function. The results showed that participants had larger farm sizes (P<0.01) and used more fertilizers (P<0.01) than the non-participants. The non-participants employed more labour (P<0.01) and used more seeds (P<0.01) than the participants. Total cost of production of the participants was less than that of the non-participants but yield obtained by the former was higher (P<0.01) than that of the latter. Marginal analysis showed that all the inputs used by the participants were under-utilized while all the inputs used by the non-participants, except land, were over-utilized. It was concluded that small-scale irrigation scheme under the National Fadama Irrigation Scheme has brought about expansion of farmlands and increased use of fertilizers but reduced farm labour and seeds used in pepper production. It was recommended that participants should increase the levels of resources in pepper production so that their profit margin could increase.