Effect of IFAD’s Farmers Field School on Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Rice Farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Kpetsum; J.N.; Gona; A.; Gindi; A.A.; Ambursa; A.S.; Hassan; U.S

doi:10.56201/ijaes.vol.12.no11.2026.pg26.36

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Effect of IFAD’s Farmers Field School on Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Rice Farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Kpetsum, J.N., Gona, A., Gindi, A.A., Ambursa, A.S., and, Hassan, U.S

Abstract

Given the critical role of agriculture in poverty alleviation and food security, this study evaluated the effect of IFAD-Farmer Field School program implemented by the International Fund for Agricultural Development on technical efficiency among smallholder rice farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to assess how participation in FFS influences farmers' socio-economic characteristics, production practices and technical efficiency of smallholder rice farmers compared to non-participating farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and Interview Schedule of the 14 Local Government Areas where the FFS has operated in Kebbi State. A Multistage sampling Method was used to achieve the stated objectives giving a sample size of 252 for FFS participating and non-participating farmers respectively, giving a total sample size of 504 farmers for the study. Data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics and Stochastic Frontier Production Function analysis. The results reveal that IFAD-FFS participants were on average older (53.2 years), had more farming experience (25.5 years), and larger farm sizes (1.6 ha) compared to non-participants average age of 47 years, 15 years of farming experience and an average farm size of 1 hectare. Participants also had higher levels of education, better access to training and markets, and higher productivity. In terms of technical efficiency, results of the stochastic frontier production function revealed that IFAD-FFS participating farmers had a higher mean technical efficiency of 0.97 compared to 0.91 for non- participating farmers. This suggests that FFS program improved the farmers' ability to maximize output from their available resources. Based on these findings, the study recommends scaling up the FFS program as an effective agricultural extension model to address the inadequacies of traditional extension services in Nigeria. Policymakers and stakeholders should prioritize investment in such participatory approaches to foster sustainable agricultural development, improve farmer livelihoods, and ultimately contribute to poverty reduction and food security in Nigeria.

Keywords

Farmer Field School; Participating and Non-Participating Farmers; Technical Efficiency

References

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Effect of IFAD’s Farmers Field School on Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Rice Farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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