ECONOMIC REFORM AND SMALL SCALE FARMERS IN AKPABUYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA, 2011-2015

Date

2018-10-22

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Department of Political Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Abstract

Since independence, the small scale farmer and Agricultural development has taken a similar pattern with that of colonial administration which could not transform the large number of small-scale farmers that dominate agricultural activity in the country. This is evident in the failure of numerous agricultural initiatives and programmed implemented under various economic reforms to address critical problems faced by small-scale farmers in the areas of access to input, capital and credit facilities, modern technology, extension services and market that would have improved peasant production and increased their capacity toward agricultural development. To investigate the problems faced by small scale farmers in Akpabuyo Local Government Area within the period under review (2011-2015), the researcher employed survey research design. This design was used so as to capture the entire domain of the study. Primary data were obtained through administration of questionnaire, interviews and actual observation. This was supplemented with secondary data which derive her strengths from books, journals, magazines, newspapers, government publications, previous studies and other relevant materials. The research used Classical Marxist theory and protectionism of Political Economy as a framework of analysis to justify the class interests that have characterized economic reforms in Nigeria and how it inhibits the development of small-scale farmers. Results obtained revealed that Small-scale farmers in Akpabuyo have not been transformed positively despite various reforms and agricultural development programmes. Consequently, the constraints associated with peasant production still linger as small-scale farmers are faced with numerous problems such as poor access to inputs, new technology, knowledge of modern farming techniques and skills, lack of good markets which formed the major objectives behind establishment of Agricultural Services and Training Centers (ASTC) in Cross River State. The study recommends among others that future economic reforms should focus more on measures that will empower the small-scale farmers with capital in order to access the intervention provided by ASTC, while other local governments in the state should replicate this initiative as well as other states of the federation.

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Citation

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY KEFFI, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc) DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (POLITICAL ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES)