THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES ON SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN DANDUME LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KATSINA STATE NIGERIA

Agriculture is one of the major sources of income of the people in the Study Area. . The study was carried out with the major objective of determining the Role of Agricultural Schemes on Socioeconomic Development of Rural Areas in Dandume Local Government of Katsina State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to a total of 40 farmers who are used as respondents to gather information. Out of 40 respondents sampled and interviewed, sixty seven percent (67%) produce between 1-5 tonnes annually and another twenty three percent of the respondents representing 23% produce between 6 10 tonnes. In addition 4 respondents representing 10% produce above 10 tonnes per annum. Response of farmers regarding the activities of agricultural projects (schemes) on various aspects was collected through personal interviews and the use of questionnaires. The data collected was analysedusing simple descriptive statistical tools used. From the results of the analysis, Agricultural Schemes could be said to make profound contributions towards the improvement of socio-economic status of individual farmers in the area. Their activities have brought about increase in the productivity and income of the people living in the area. Other findings of the study have revealed that culture of the rural communities in the Area depend on the production of livelihood in the agricultural sector, being the major income generation sector. Small capital base market instability and poor communication network are some of the major problems in the area. General recommendations were dedicated on policy redirection to reverse the negative trend and increase food production.