Analysis of the socio-economic characteristics of participants of growth enhancement support scheme in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to analyze socio-economic characteristics of participants of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) in Adamawa State, Nigeria. All crop farmers who registered under the GESS in the study area formed the population of the study. A sample of 165 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Research findings revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 41.91 years, while 55.76% of the respondents were male. The respondents were predominantly married (71.52%) and possessed formal education (92.12%). The mean farm size was 2.58 hectares, mean farming experience was 7.49 years, average household size was 5 persons, while mean annual income was N393,771. Respondents had high level of participation in GESS, with 73.33% taking part in registration/e-wallet training and 69.09% GESS participants participating in payment and collection of inputs in the study area. Based on the findings of the research it can be concluded that the population is dominated by young people, who were in their active and productive age group. The respondents also possessed formal education. The farm size of the respondents indicates that they were small scale farmers with average income. Farmers’ status of participation in registration/e-wallet training and payment/collection of GESS inputs was high, while involvement in the decision-making process in GESS is low. Farmers should be encouraged to participate fully by expanding their farmlands as well income to benefit more from the scheme since they are mostly small-scale farmers. Farmers should be allowed to participate more actively in the decision-making process of GESS so as to sustain their interest and commitment in the scheme.