Accelerating community development through provision of rural infrastructure: An appraisal of the third national Fadama development project in Ondo State

Abstract

This paper presents an appraisal of the performance of the National Fadama Development Programme (FADAMA III) towards accelerating community infrastructural development in Ondo State, Nigeria, based on the author's practical assessment and oral interviews of project participants as well as a collection of secondary data in form of reports and surveys produced by the Fadama III Project in Ondo State during the implementation period. The secondary data collected include the status of the different classes of small-scale community-owned infrastructure, productive assets and Fadama Users Groups/Fadama Community Associations (FUG/FCA) access to these infrastructures. In addition, the study reported on the means of access to agricultural product market, value additions to the agricultural commodities produced by the FUGs and changes in income from sales associated with value-added products. Data collected were analysed using basic descriptive statistics. The results of the study show that crop production is the primary occupation for a large proportion of the groups, accounting for over 45.1% of total FUG, Fishery and Livestock production each make up 12%. A look at the available Productive Small-scale Community-owned Infrastructure across FCAs in the 18 LGAs of the State from the study show that seven new access roads were constructed; 46 feeder roads were rehabilitated; and 22 markets facilities were provided. Seven culverts and four foot bridges were constructed along with several assets to service the enterprises. Generally, the results indicate that income decreased at the project preparation stage only to stabilise and peak as the enterprises are consolidated. Average income of $692.35, $561.42, $194.79 and $100.39 for crop production, livestock, fishing and Non-Farm enterprises were obtained.

Keywords: Fadama, assets, infrastructure, FUG, FCA.