Impact of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) Program in Advancing the Socio-Economic Statutes of Smallholder Rice Farmers in Adani-Omor Zone, Southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of ATA program policies on the socio-economic statutes of rice farmers in Adani-Omor rice production zone. It identified the socio-economic characteristics of the rice farmers and constraints to farming. It also assessed the extent to which the program policies have enhanced the productivity and wellbeing of the farmers. Adani-Omor is one of the four (4) staple crop processing zones (SCPZs) selected for the ATASP Phase 1. It was purposively selected because of the predominance of rice farming in the area and rice is one of the target crops under the ATA program. Data for the study were collected through a questionnaire administered to a sample of 160 rice farmers comprising 80 participant and 80 non-participant farmers. The data analyses reveals that ATA program made a positive impact on the incomes of the farmers since there was a significant difference in their incomes before and after the program. Also, the program exerted a positive significant impact on their access to credit and agro inputs. The result also shows a significant difference in the access to irrigation facilities, credit and fertilizer between participants and non-participants. The major constraints to the full implementation of the program objectives in the area included postharvest losses and poor processing facilities. This study concludes that ATA significantly reduced the cost of farm operation, increased the yield and income of participant farmers. It subsequently recommends the expansion of ATA to cover all categories of rice farmers in the study area. More so, low-cost and improved technologies for storage, processing, transportation and marketing should be introduced to minimize loss of revenue. Policy interventions that contribute to better access to inputs and farmer-specific efficiency factors should be sustained.

Keywords: Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), Smallholder farmers, Rice Economy, Adani-Omor