ABSTRACT

This study investigated the role of national directorate of Employment

(NDE) in poverty alleviation among farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. The

specific objectives of the study includes: to examine the soclo-economic

characteristics of farmer beneficiaries of NDE agricultural services,

describe the role of NDE in poverty alleviation among farmers, also to

identify the factors determining poverty among farmers and income

among NDE beneficiaries. Finally, to examine the constraint in the NDE

agricultural services and proffer policy recommendations for poverty

alleviation for farmers in the state. Data relevant to the research were

collected through the use of both structured questionnaire and persQnal

interview schedule. A total of 60 respondents were interviewed in each

categories (i.e. beneficiaries and non beneficiaries of NDE) giving a total

of 120 respondents. NDE staff was also interviewed in addition.

Information were sought on soclo- economic variables, measure of

household poverty and annual farm income. The data collected were

analyzed by use of statistical techniques, poverty line, the Foster, Greer

and Thorbecke (F-G-T) measure and multiple regression analysis.

Among the variables, regress against poverty, credit, farm experience,

children education and farm income were significant determinant of

poverty for beneficiaries of NDE. While Household size, farm income and

children education were significant determinant of poverty for non

beneficiaries of NDE. This result does not show a significant difference

between NDE beneficiaries and non beneficiaries. Furthermore, the

variable regressed against annual farm income, wealth and labour were

significant at 5 percent level. The result of the multiple regression in all

cases showed that multicollinearity was not a serious problem. Moreso,

the result of the mean income of the beneficiaries and non beneficiaries

does not reveal significant difference. As such the role played by the

NDE in poverty alleviation is not significant. It is therefore recommended

that the federal government relinquish NDE agricultural programme and

decentralize same to other bodies closer to the farmers for a better

poverty alleviation. Moreso, poverty alleviation programme in agriculture

should not be supply driven only; effort should be made to integrate the

views of the poor farmers in order to enhance their farm outputs thus

making development, planning and management sensitive to poor

farmers need.