Comparative Analysis of Zacarep Agricultural Improvement Programme: A Quantitative Study From Anka And Bukkuyum Local Government Areas, Zamfara State Of Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: In the Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Zamfara State, Nigeria, this study assesses the effect of the Zamfara Comprehensive Agricultural and Rural Development Programme (ZACAREP) on target beneficiaries as well as the program's perceived success.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A quantitative survey approach was employed, with 60 respondents selected from each LGA, using primary data collected from 120 beneficiaries. From each of the six carefully selected wards, twenty responses were selected proportionately. To assess program results and recipients' perceptions, data was examined using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, and arithmetic means.

Findings: The test's findings demonstrate the high level of program satisfaction. 96.6% of respondents in Anka LGA and 91.6% in Bukkuyum LGA said the initiative was successful. Very few respondents thought the initiative was a un successful. The results support the adoption of the alternative hypothesis and the rejection of the null hypothesis by demonstrating that the ZACAREP program greatly benefited the target beneficiaries.

Practical Implications: By encouraging beneficiaries to preserve and grow program outcomes through ongoing engagement and community ownership, the study suggests bolstering sustainability measures.

Originality/Value: This study provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the ZACAREP program at the local government level and contributes to the limited body of literature on the evaluation of agricultural and rural development initiatives in Nigeria.
 

Keywords: Years of experience with ZACAREP, target beneficiaries and problems encountered, services provided to farmers.