Factors influencing farmers’ attitude and participation in the national agricultural development fund intervention programmes in selected Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the factors influencing farmers’ attitude and participation in the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) intervention programmes in Zaria, Sabon Gari, and Makarfi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 343 respondents from a sampling frame of 2,386 farmers. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that most respondents were male, married, and within the economically active age group, with a mean age of 42.6 years. The regression analysis on farmers’ attitude showed that age, educational level, farming experience, programme awareness, trust in government programmes, and perceived benefits significantly influenced farmers’ attitude toward NADF programmes. The model produced an R² value of 0.53 and an F-value of 24.63. The participation model revealed that farm size, annual farm income, cooperative membership, access to extension services, frequency of extension contact, and access to agricultural credit significantly influenced farmers’ participation in NADF programmes. The model recorded an R² value of 0.57 and an F-value of 28.11, while access to agricultural credit emerged as the strongest determinant of participation. Major constraints identified included inadequate access to credit, delay in loan disbursement, inadequate extension contact, poor awareness, and high cost of farm inputs. The study concluded that socio-economic, institutional, and programme-related factors significantly influence farmers’ attitude and participation in NADF intervention programmes. It recommends improved access to credit, strengthened extension services, effective awareness campaigns, and transparent programme implementation.