Effect of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Programmes on Poverty Reduction in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) programme on poverty reduction among community members in Bayelsa State. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used in the selection of one hundred and twenty (120) community members. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, ordinary least square and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result showed that community members identified construction of radio house ( =3.1), establishment of cassava processing mill ( =3.3), establishment of cassava farm ( =3.2), establishment of poultry farm ( =2.7) and establishment of plantain farm ( =3.3) as the various IFAD programmes provided to reduce poverty.  Community members participated in construction of landing jetty ( =3.2), establishment of cassava processing mill ( =3.1) and construction of cluster fish pond ( =3.2). IFAD was effective in monitoring of our programmes ( =2.5), supervision of our programmes ( =2.5) and field workshop ( =2.3). The result of the ordinary least square multiple regression showed that establishment of poultry farm was significant at 5% level. The ANOVA result showed a significant difference on the level of participation of the community member’s in IFAD programme. The study concluded that IFAD programmes were effective in reducing poverty among community members. Hence, the study recommended that the community members should be encouraged to participate more in IFAD programmes since the programme increase their income