ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the effect of participation in USAID/MARKETS II Programme on the food security status of cassava farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the  socio-economic characteristics of USAID and non-USAID farmers, assessed perceptions of farmers towards the programme activities, ascertained the extent of farmers’ participating in the programme support services, ascertained extent of farmers participation in the stages of programme development, examine the desired outcomes gained by participating farmers from the programme, estimated the output and income levels of USAID and non-USAID farmers from cassava farming, determined the food security status of USAID and non-USAID farmers and examined constraints faced by farmers participating in the programme activities in the study area. Multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and eighty (180) respondents (90 USAID farmers and 90 non-USAID farmers). Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Tobit regression, Probit regression and Z-test analyses). The result indicates that USAID farmers had favourable perception ( =3.2), high participation ( =2.3) in the programme support services and high participation ( =2.6) in the stages of proramme development and participation outcomes ( =3.4). The result showed that mean cassava output of USAID farmers (58,405.56kg/ha) were higher than the non-USAID farmers (34,038.89kg/ha) as against mean cassava income of USAID farmers (N233, 855.6) and non-USAID farmers (N192, 986.7). Food security status result showed that mean per capita household expenditure per month (N21120.46) for USAID farmers and non- USAID farmers (N5474.41), while food security index, showed that a moderate proportion of USAID farmers were more food secured (43.33%) than non-USAID farmers (33.33%). Multiple regression estimates showed that coefficients for reduced risk taking, enterprise diversification, household employment and increased productivity influenced participation outcomes gained by farmers from the programme. Tobit regression showed that coefficients for age, education, farming experience, farm size, farm income, amount of credit received, farm output and membership of cooperatives influenced farmers’ extent of participation in the stages of programme development in the study area. Probit regression estimates showed that coefficients for technical support, value chain and agribusiness support services influenced food security status of participating farmers in the study area. The marginal effects result of probit regression shows the probability that USAID farmers were food secure as a result of the programmes technical, value chain and agribusiness support services. Z–test result revealed a significant difference in mean food security status of USAID and non–USAID famers at P≤ 0.5 and a significant difference in mean cassava output and income of USAID farmers at P≤ 0.5 level of probability respectively. Untimely supply of farm inputs, bureaucratic bottle necks and poor counterpart support funding were major constraints affecting participation of farmers in the programme. The study concluded that USAID farmers had highly participated in the programme as it increased their food security status. Policies aimed at empowerment, diversification of enterprise, improvement of farming skills, reduced risk in farming and promotion of agribusiness activities were advocated for effective participation of cassava farmers in the programme.