Assessment of Public Policy Driven Youth Agricultural Empowerment Interventions: A Case Study of Integrated Farmers’ Scheme of Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The study assessed the effectiveness of the Integrated Farmers’ Scheme (IFS) initiated and managed by Akwa Ibom State government in the South-South region of Nigeria. It specifically examined the relevance of the scheme, its impacts/outcome on the beneficiaries’ livelihood and wellbeing, its level of sustainability as well as the constraints faced by the scheme. A combination of primary and secondary data sources were employed in the study. Primary data were collected with the use of interview schedule and analysed descriptively. The qualitative description was complemented by field observations, critical assessment of responses from beneficiaries and researcher’s value judgment. Findings showed that the scheme was effective in terms of its relevance to the needs of beneficiaries, employment generation to other youths as well as income generation but lacking in sustainability (45%). About 77% of beneficiaries identified undue political influence on the selection of target group as a major constraint to the scheme. Improper monitoring, lack of periodic supervision leading to default in loan repayment also affected the scheme’s sustainability. The scheme has the potential of being sustainable in addition to generating employment and income, if the scheme’s policy target is strictly adhered to.