Rural transformation through river basin development: a case study of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Projects (UBRBDP) Nigeria
Famure, O.D.
Poverty and rural development planners, peasants and poverty: 293-306
1990
Document Number: 378886
The Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) in Nigeria has aimed to develop surface and underground water resources for agricultural, industrial and domestic purposes, and for rural development. This study seeks mainly to examine the extent to which the UBRBDA has harnessed the water resources of the Upper Benue River basin to increase crop production. In achieving this end, the study looks at the impact of the Authority's agricultural programmes on rural employment, the local farmers' participation in the river basin projects, and their response to mechanized farming techniques. The estimated development possibilities and benefits derivable from the UBRBDA projects are determined. The study covers the various projects that have been started in the Upper Benue River basin since the inception of the scheme in 1979. Some 20 farms were randomly selected from the operational area for primary data. Secondary data were obtained from the officials of the River Basin Authority and the Water Resources Ministry. The study reports on the establishment of pilot farms, notably crop production and yields, extension programmes and on-the-job training, farmers' participation, modern production techniques, and size of farm holdings. It is shown that given proper guidance and inputs, the productivity of local farmers increases significantly under an intensive irrigation system compared with an extensive rainfed system of cultivation. Also, rural transformation through river basin development can be used to reverse out-migration from rural to urban areas.