Analysis of Impact of International Fund for Agricultural Development Rice Value Chain Programme Technological Adaptation on Output of Beneficiary Rice Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of International Fund for Agricultural Development Rice Value Chain Programme (IFAD-VCDP) technological adaptation on output of beneficiary rice farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. The study used a survey design and selected 348 beneficiary rice farmers for the investigation. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used as an analytical technique. Findings of the study revealed that all the three technologies introduced by IFAD-VCDP, namely; tilers, sprayers and harvesters had positive and statistically significant impact on technological adaptation of the beneficiary rice farmers and technological adaptation in turn had positive and statistically significant on the rice output of the beneficiaries in the study area. On the basis of the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made. First, IFAD-VCDP should strengthen farmers’ access to inputs and mechanization especially technologically based farm inputs and IFAD-VCDP should scale up training in agronomic practices and agribusinesses to build the farmers’ capacities significantly to improve farmers’ confidence for technological adaptability that will enhance utilization of farm inputs optimally