Emerging Policy issues in the Special Crop Productions Programme of Benue State

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the characteristics of the Special Crop Production Programme of the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture, Makurdi and highlight the emerging policy issues. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire from 120 respondents who were randomly selected. Analysis of data was carried out using percentages and mean scores. Results showed that, procurement and distribution of inputs (improved seeds, fertilizer and herbicides) were insufficient and untimely provided. The situation forced farmers to acquire most of their input from the open market at exorbitant prices. Farmers were not involved in the planning of the programme and the extension personnel attached to the programme were not sufficient for effective delivery of extension services to farmers. The recommendations are that policy should be put in place to ensure early procurement and distribution of inputs at affordable prices, organize farmers into farmers associations and co-operatives to help pool farm lands, input procurement, and access to the use of machinery and providing market outlets for disposing farmers’ outputs. This way a veritable extension policy for crop production will be ensured in Nigeria

Keywords

• Characteristics
• Special crop production programme
• Benue State