Assessment of Rural Infrastructures and Productive Assets Provided by Fadama Development Project in Okigwe Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the rural infrastructure and productive assets provided by Fadama Development Project in Okigwe agricultural zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Two sets of interview schedules were used. One was administered on Fadama User and the other on Non- Fadama users. One hundred and eighty respondents made up the sample size for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results from the socio- economic characteristics of the farmers show that majority of the respondents were educated and had appreciable experience in farming which enhances their activities. The provision of pump-water, fish ponds, and cold rooms among other essential infrastructure by Fadama Development Project reduced the high incidence of drudgery that characterised subsistent system of farming in the Okigwe agricultural zone. It becomes imperative that more enlightenment should be done to encourage more farmers in the study area to join Fadama user groups in other to be part of the benefits accruable from the project.

Keywords: Fadama users; non-Fadama users, productive assets