ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the effect of the National Special Programme on Food Security (NSPFS) on yam and cassava production in South-East, Nigeria. Purposive and multistage random sampling techniques were utilized in selecting the respondents used for the study. Three States, namely, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States were randomly selected. Three agricultural zones were purposively selected from each of the selected states, namely, Okigwe, orlu, Owerri from Imo state; Nsukka, Enugu, Awgu from Enugu state; and Ebonyi North, Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi South from Ebonyi state. Two blocks were randomly selected from each of the agricultural zones, and two circles were randomly selected from each of the blocks selected. Five participants of NSPFS were randomly selected from the list of participants in each of the selected circle, while five non-participants were randomly selected from the list of non-participants in the thirtysix selected circles. Two NSPFS extension officers were randomly sampled from each selected circles. A total of four hundred and thirty two respondents were interviewed, comprised of 180 NSPFS participants, 180 non-participants and 72 NSPFS extension agents. Data were obtained with the aid of structured interview schedule and Focus Group Discussion. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages, means and t-test. Results showed that, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in yam and cassava yield of participants and nonparticipants. The NSPFS has helped to increase the yield of yam and cassava in SouthEast, Nigeria. The programme increased farmers’ income, which is expected to be accompanied by improved standard of living of farmers’ households. It increased input cost of yam and cassava production in South-East, Nigeria which indicated that, there is increased intensity of resource use among NSPFS participants than non-participants. A grand mean score of 3.76 showed that beneficiaries have positive perception about the programme, indicating that the programme was well executed and helpful to the beneficiaries. Problems militating against effective implementation of the NSPFS were paying back loan by farmers, late release of funds, organizing farmers into functional groups, late supply of inputs, insufficient credit facilities, inadequate funding a and poor road network. Results revealed that research-extension delivery ofthe NSPFS in SouthEast, Nigeria was not effective. The programme has significantly increased yield and input cost of yam and cassava production in South-East, Nigeria. The null hypotheses were therefore, rejected, since the calculated t-test of 527.44, 1453.61, 283.54, and 855.41 respectively were greater than the value of t-tabulate (1.96). The study recommended that effort should be made by Government, research institutes and extension towards increasing the level of adoption of NSPFS extension recommendations on yam and cassava production through print and electronic media to supplement the efforts of extension agents.