The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme was an innovative scheme which seeks to remove the difficulties usually associated with the distribution of fertilizer and improved seeds in the country. In the past, there were complaints of diversion, exorbitant cost and adulteration of various inputs, which ultimately led to low productivity, increased poverty, unemployment and lack of interest in farming. This work evaluated the performance of the scheme among food crop farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria by estimating and comparing annual incomes, establishing determinants of the farmers’ annual incomes before and after joining the scheme and identifying constraints to implementation of the scheme. Primary data were collected using questionnaires which were administered to 200 respondents selected by multistage and random sampling methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated mean age of the farmers as 47 years and average farm size of 0.7 hectare. The farmers realized mean annual incomes of N433,974.87 and N717,796.48 before and after joining the scheme respectively. There was significant difference between mean annual incomes of the farmers before and after joining the scheme. Farm size and educational level significantly influenced the farmers’ annual incomes both before and after joining the scheme. Constraints to implementation of the scheme arranged in descending order of seriousness were: stress farmers go through in redeeming agro-inputs, less quantity of agro-inputs supplied, late release of government funds, mobile phone and network failures and poor farmers’ registration process. Farm visit and assessment during farmers registration process, establishment of fertilizer blending plants in the six geopolitical zones of the country and adoption of one-check approach by crediting the farmers’ accounts with the value of subsidy will ensure improved performance and sustainability of the scheme.

Performance; Determinants; Constraints; G.E.S.S; Anambra State, Nigeria

1. Akinwumi A. (2011). Food insecurity in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. A paper presented at the Bank of Industry Nigerian Investment Forum, London, July 30, 2011.

2. Anambra State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS) (2006). Annual Report. Anambra State Government Publication.

3. Fadairo, O.S., Olutegbe, N.S., Tijani, A.M. (2015). Attitude of crop farmers towards ewallet platform of the growth enhancement support scheme for input delivery in Oke – Ogun area of Oyo State. Journal of agricultural informatics, 6(2), 62-71.

4. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) (2012). Nigeria’s agricultural policy. Federal Republic of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agriculture in Nigeria: New policy thrust. Retrieved from http://www.fmard.

5. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD). (2013). Agricultural Transformation Agenda, 2013 score card report, FMARD.

6. Fertilizers Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FESPAN) (2012). Growth enhancement support scheme monitoring report.

7. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) (2007). Small scale palm oil processing in Africa. Originated by Agricultural Department. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org

8. Kern, M., Paulson, N., 2011. Profitability and farm size on grains farms in Illinois. Retrieved from http://www.farmdocdaily.Illinois.edu/2011 /05/profitability-and-farm-size-on.html

9. National Population Commission (NPC) (2006). 2006 census results. Retrieved on 24th October 2013 from http://www.npc.gov

10. Okechukwu, E.O. (2014). Performance of Fadama III user groups’ crop farmers at mid-term in the southeast states of Nigeria. PhD dissertation, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Nigeria.

11. Osinowo, O.A. (2012). Agricultural transportation in a deregulated economy: The Role of livestock sub-sector. Proceedings of the 46th Annual Conference of Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Held at Bayero University, Kano. Pp. 4.

12. Tiri, G.D., Ojoko, E.A, Aruwayo, A. (2014). Growth enhancement support scheme (GESS) and the challenges of food security in Nigeria: a review. Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 9(7),.ISSN 19906145.

VOlUME 01 ISSUE 01 NOVEMBER 2018