Impact of Government School-To-Land Agricultural Project on Rural Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper assessed the impact of government school- to – Land   agricultural project on rural development in Rivers State, with specific emphasis on rural employment, livestock and food crop production and rural income generation. The simple random and purposeful sampling techniques are used in selecting 300 participants of the programme (farmers), programme coordinators, and members of host communities as respondents for the study. The simple per centage and chi-square statistical methods are adopted in data analyses and hypothesis testing. The results reveal that the school- to- land project has contributed to rural development. It was also discovered that the school –to – land project contributed to increases in the livestock and food production in the state. The paper however recommended the adoption of modern farming techniques and constant review of agricultural policies/programmes to avoid duplication of agricultural projects in the state.

Key words: Rural employment, rural income generation, rural development.