Impact assessment of maize enterprise development project on rural farmers in nigeria (a case study of kaduna state)

This study assessed the impact of maize enterprise development project on rural farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study ascertained the socio economic characteristics of the beneficiaries and their welfare situation. 110 beneficiaries were randomly selected from the study area. Data were collected using structured questionnaire, focus group discussion guide (FGD) and key informant interview (KII) technique. FGD and KII revealed that the inputs supplied to them (beneficiaries) helped in solving problems of inputs unavailability and poor quality inputs. From regression analysis, findings revealed that 85.0%, 65.0% of the beneficiaries were males and had primary education respectively.45% of them were involved in farming of other agricultural commodity,58.2% of them were into sales of maize for direct consumption and pop corn production as a major source of income from maize value chain.61.9% them were trained before the project commenced,57.3%of them were exposed to land preparation training, 50.0%,57.1%,64.3%,87.0% of them had good food situation, clothing situation, housing situation and paid their children school fees from maize processing income respectively. The study concluded that the project increased the production capacity of farmers and their welfare. It was recommended that project this type should be spread across other farmers in need of such so as to positively increase the welfare of farmers in developing countries.