ASSESSING INCREMENTAL YIELD OF LEGUME CROPS VALUE CHAIN INTERVENTION OF KANO STATE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY/KANO STATE AGRO PASTORAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the increase in output obtained by farmers along the three value chain crops (groundnut, cowpea and soybeans). Eighteen local government areas were selected across the three ADP zones. Eighteen beneficiaries were randomly selected from each local government constituting six ground nut, six cowpea and six soybeans’ farmers in the ratio of 4:2 male and female making a total of one hundred and eight (108) groundnut, cowpea and soybeans farmers respectively. Data were collected electronically using Kobo collect and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed the average age of the three value chain crops farmers (groundnut, cowpea and soybeans) was 44.6, 43.6 and 45.7 years respectively. Also their average number of household size was 8, 7 and 7 members respectively. Their mean monthly income was ₦106,925.93, ₦106,648.15 and ₦108,759.26 respectively. The average total farm size owned by the farmers across the value chain crops were 1.9ha, 1.9ha and 1.8ha respectively. Majority (88.9%, 86.1% and 85.2%) were male and most (95.4%, 95.4% and 95.4%) married, respectively. They possess one form of education or the other with farming as one of the major means of livelihood 88.9%, 90.7% and 89.8% respectively. Majority (84.3%, 88.9% and 78.7%) of the respondents belongs to cooperative or farmers group, respectively. The level of adoption of good agronomic practices among the value chain crops were 89%, 92% and 82% respectively. Most (88.0%, 90.7% and 90.7%) of them reported increase in output since 2021 to 2024 as they continue to adopt the crop varieties and agronomic practices promoted.  The yield increment observed during wet season were 0.46 ton/ha, 0.5ton/ha and 0.65ton/ha of groundnut, cowpea and soybeans respectively and for dry season were 0.48ton/ha and 0.56ton/ha for groundnut and cowpea respectively. Majority (69.4%, 67.6% and 65.7%) of the farmers were linked with agro input dealers and aggregators (73.1%, 70.4% and 71.3%) respectively. In conclusion, the yield of the farmers across the three value chain crops were increased above the baseline. It was recommended that linkage with financial institution and seed companies should be strengthen in the future.