Agricultural Development Programme in Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in Abia State, Nigeria, 2000-2010

ABSTRACT 6 The study has as its objectives, to examine the twin issue of Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in Nigeria. In addition, to deepen our understanding of how Poverty Alleviation Programmes had been implemented overtime and the effect of those strategies and programmes on food security in Abia State. The study applied the chi-square (X2 ) techniques to test the hypotheses on Abia ADP Programme on Food Security vis: the impact of Abia ADP Programme on Food Security, food sufficiency level in the state as well as the implementation policy of the programme. The result of the three hypotheses using the chi-square (X ) test at 0.05 significance level showed that Abia ADP programme orientation geared towards poverty reduction and provision of farm implements to Abia farmers improved the attainment of food production in the State per annum and the third hypothesis revealed that modern technologies provided by Abia ADP to Abia farmers per annum. The second hypothesis revealed that Abia ADP programme orientation geared towards poverty reduction and provision of farm implements to Abia farmers improved the attainment food production in the State per annum and the third hypothesis revealed that modern technologies provided by Abia ADP to Abia farmers improved food production and creation of employment in the state. The available literature reveals the problems and challenges faced by Abia ADP in the state to the application of orthodox capitalist strategies marred with corruption and low revenue base. In addition, non-continuity of existing programmes and policies by new governments grossly affects the role of Abia ADP in implementing its food production and food sufficiency agenda in the state. The discussion of findings showed that in hypothesis one, Abia ADP has a consolidated their farmers through internal and external loan assistance. In the third hypothesis, Abia farmers have benefited from the government through the provision of modern technologies that enhanced farmers' surplus. The study recommends that Government should ensure the availability of improved and adaptable technologies to help include all kinds of crops for increased output. There should as well be effective loan utilization and 'repayment and mobilization of savings that will help reduce poverty and increase food production in the" State. The issue of corruption and mismanagement of resources should be properly looked into and addressed because this has constituted a heavy drain on the expected results of the organization.