Effect of Fadama III Programme on Food Crop Production Among Rural Women Farmers in Akoko South-West Local Government Area

this study looked at the effect of FADAMA III program on food crop production among rural women farmers in Akoko South-West Local. Government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 120 respondents, including sixty (60) participating and sixty (60) non-participating rural women farmers. The study data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, net farm income models, logit regression models, and Ordinary Least Square regression (OLS). The study found that participating and non-participating rural women farmers had mean ages of 46 and 49 years, respectively, and had completed secondary education. At 1% and 5% levels of likelihood, age, farm size, times of extension visit, and farming experience were all significant in the logistic regression results. FADAMA III participants and non-participants had net farm income (NFI) of ₦189,691.82 /Ha and ₦108,417.73 /Ha, respectively. The cost-benefit ratios for participants and non-participants were 12.82 and 8.40, respectively. According to the OLS regression, farm size (2515.581) is the only variable that is significant at 5% for non-participants, although educational status (59846.796) and farming experience (167547.42) are significant at 1% and 5% for participants as factors determining their net income. Inadequate extension agent output, poor leadership, a negative attitude toward the program, and a lack of knowledge of the program were the major constraints. The study revealed that Agricultural programs such as FADAMA III programs and other empowerment programs are essential to the agricultural sector, most especially the rural dwellers in most of the developing countries.