Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Farmers' Participation in Community-Based Programme in Abia and Cross River States of Nigeria

Socio-economic factors influencing farmers' participation in IFAD/FGN/NDDC/ Community -Based Natural Resource Management Programme in Abia and Cross River States, Nigeria were analyzed in 2012. Purposive and multistage random sampling techniques were used in the selection of Local Government Areas, participating communities, farmer groups, participating and non-participating farmers. The sample size was 240 (120 for Abia IFAD and 120 Cross River IFAD farmers). Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and Probit regression model. The result indicated that IFAD participating farmers in both states were actively involved in crop, livestock, fisheries and apiary technologies of the programme. The Probit estimates of the determinants of participation of farmers in the programme showed that the coefficients of age and farming experience were positive and significantly correlated in both states. The coefficient of gender was also positive signed and significant, as well as farm size which was negative and significant in Abia State, while occupational status and membership of cooperative societies were also positively signed in Cross River State. The coefficient for gender was negative and significant in Cross River State. Negative Perception of farmers on past programmes, bad road network, late arrival of farm inputs and non-payment of counterpart funds by State and LGA's were identified as major problems affecting farmers' participation on the programme. It is therefore recommended that policies aimed at reviewing the Land Use Act of 1990 to eliminate the difficulties associated with land acquisition for agricultural purposes, access to adult education and timely supplies of farm inputs since farming is time bound and prompt payment of counterpart funds by state and local government were advocated.