Impact of the Implementation of the Fadama Iii Project on the Livelihoods of Beneficiaries in Benue State, Nigeria

The Fadama III Project in Nigeria was designed as a community-driven agricultural intervention to enhance rural livelihoods through the provision of productive assets, capacity building, and advisory services. The extent to which the project has improved beneficiaries’ household income, food security, and overall welfare in Benue State remains under-examined despite widespread implementation. Therefore, this study sought to examine the impact of the implementation of the Fadama III Project on beneficiaries’ livelihoods in Benue State, guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), which emphasizes the role of human, physical, and social capital in sustaining household welfare. A mixed-methods research design combining descriptive survey and documentary analysis was employed. The population comprised 283 Fadama III beneficiaries in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, totaling 283 respondents. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data were obtained from project reports and relevant publications. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics, specifically multiple linear regression at a 5% level of significance, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25.0. The findings revealed that the provision of productive assets significantly increased household income, while capacity building and advisory services positively influenced food security and overall welfare. The regression results indicated that both independent variables were significant predictors of livelihood improvements (B = 0.48 and 0.39; p < 0.001). Based on the findings, the study recommended equitable and timely distribution of productive assets to maximize income gains and strengthen capacity-building programs and advisory services to improve food security and household welfare. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the importance of integrated, community-driven interventions in enhancing rural livelihoods in Benue State and other similar contexts