Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, Vol 82, No 1 (2017)

Impact of Cocoa Resuscitation Programme on Farmers' Livelihoods in South West, Nigeria

Oluwole Matthew AKINNAGBE

Pages: 39-47

Summary


This study evaluated the impact of cocoa resuscitation programmes on farmers’ livelihood in South West, Nigeria. Before and after evaluation model combined with project participants and non-project participants’ model were used to established impact of the programme on participants’ livelihoods. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. A total of 240 farmers were interviewed. Focus group discussion was also held in some of the villages selected. Th e major cocoa intervention programmes carried out were distribution of free cocoa seedlings to farmers and training on cocoa rehabilitation techniques (coppicing, phase replanting, selective tree replanting, chupon regeneration, and complete farm replacement). Cocoa resuscitation programme had made significant impact in increasing the revenue of participating farmers (t = 3.106; p≤0.05). Higher proportion (77.5%) of the participating farmers find it very easy to access modern farm tools and seedlings, about 20% of the participating farmers rated their standard of living as better than others in the community. Household materials possessed by participating farmers increased drastically. Th e study recommended that the programme should be scale up to involved more cocoa farmers and sustain cocoa production. Th is could be achieved by establishing special trust fund for cocoa development in cocoa producing state by both state and federal government of Nigeria.

Keywords


Impact, evaluation, cocoa, resuscitation programmes, livelihood

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