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Apr 27, 2026Keywords:
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Effect of Specific ATASP-1 Support Components on Rice Output Among Smallholder Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria
Abstract
Agricultural intervention programmes in Nigeria typically provide bundled support packages to smallholder farmers, yet the specific contribution of individual support components to rice output remains poorly understood. This study examined the effect of specific Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase One (ATASP-1) support components on rice output among smallholder farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Using a sample of 180 rice farmers selected through multi-stage sampling, the study employed descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis to determine the influence of improved seeds, fertiliser, agrochemicals, trainings, irrigation, storage facilities, credit, and feeder roads on rice output. The results showed that fertiliser (78.9%), improved rice seeds (76.7%), and market linkage (75.6%) were the most widely received supports, while access to credit (36.7%) and storage facilities (28.9%) were most limited. The regression model was statistically significant (F = 26.43, p < 0.01) and explained 51.8% of the variation in rice output (R² = 0.518). Improved rice seeds (β = 0.250, p < 0.05), fertiliser (β = 0.466, p < 0.01), agrochemicals (β = 0.016, p < 0.01), and access to storage facilities (β = 0.029, p < 0.05) had positive and significant effects on output. However, construction of access roads (β = -0.211, p < 0.01) had a negative effect, while training, irrigation, and credit were not statistically significant. The null hypothesis that specific support components have no significant effect on rice output was rejected. The study concludes that improved seeds, fertiliser, agrochemicals, and storage facilities are the most effective support components for enhancing rice output. Programme resources should be reallocated toward these proven components while investigating the ineffectiveness of roads, training, irrigation, and credit in the current context.
