Revamping Challenges of Rural Dwellers in USAID Markets II Soybean Production Project in Benue State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Revamping challenges, Rural dwellers, Soybean production, USAID Markets IIAbstract
This study evaluated USAID MARKETS II Soybean Production Project in Benue
State, Nigeria. The study was carried out to investigate factors influencing farm
yields among project participants and examine the relationship between adoption of
new soybean production technologies and farmers' yields. A sample size of 150
soybean farmers was proportionally selected from a total population of 509 project
participants. This represents 30% of the farmers, randomly drawn from each of the
two soybean farmers’ associations across the eight Local Government Areas
(LGAs) designated for the study Data were collected using semi-structured
interview schedule while mean, multiple regression, and correlation analysis were
used for data analysis. Results showed that farming experience, education level,
extension contact, and quantity of fertilizer applied significantly influenced farmers'
yields at 5% level. A positive weak relationship (r = 0.091, p > 0.05) was found
between technology adoption and yield. The study recommended timely provision
of quality farming infrastructure to project participants to enhance adoption of new
soybean technologies and boost farm yields in order to enhance the wellbeing of the
rural farmers.
