STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTION AND CHALLENGES OF COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMME IN RIVERS STATE, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined extension agents' and farmers' perception of government's commercial agricultural programme and identified challenges limiting effective implementation of the programme in Rivers State using Obio/.Akpor Local Government Area as case study. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were utilized to elicit information from 15 extension agents and 80 farmers, respectively, making a total of 95 respondents. The data collected were analysed using percentage and means scores. Results of the study revealed that the commercial agricultural programme focused more on arable crops, fisheries and livestock production, but both group of respondents were dissatisfied with the agro-processing and storage components of the programme. Farmers' major constraints in undertaking the commercial farming include: lack of storage (m = 3) and processing (m = 2.93) facilities, poor credit facility (m = 2.81) climate change (m = 2.72) pests and diseases (m = 2.52) and poor extension services (m = 2.52) The extension agents highlighted late release of funds, irregular payment of salaries (m = 2.73) lack of allowances and poor teaching aids (m = 2.33) as major impediments of the commercial agricultural programme. It was suggested that more attention should be made on agro-processing, storage facilities and techniques to aid food security. Government should provide production inputs promptly and give adequate work incentives to enhance effectiveness of the commercial agricultural programme in the state.