USE OF ADVISORY SERVICES AND INPUT SUPPORT AMONG RICE FARMERS OF FADAMA III ADDITIONAL FINANCING (AF1) BENEFICIARIES IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the extent to which rice farmers in Adamawa State utilized advisory services and input support provided under the Fadama III Additional Financing I (AF1) initiative. Using a multistage random sampling technique, data were collected from 146 rice cluster farmers across Fufore, Numan, and Yola South Local Government Areas through structured questionnaires. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, rating scales, and multiple regression techniques. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were male (93.2%), married (95.2%), with an average age of 49.3 years, mean household size of 12 persons, and farming experience averaging 19.7 years. Most respondents (68.5%) were literate and had farming as their primary occupation. Advisory services provided included information on improved agronomic practices, market access, and post-harvest handling. Input support comprised fertilizers, improved seeds, herbicides, insecticides, and limited access to machinery such as power tillers and milling machines. Overall, the utilization of both advisory services and input support was high, although some services, particularly post-harvest processing and mechanization were underutilized due to accessibility constraints. Regression analysis identified age, education, farming experience, off-farm income, and farm income as significant determinants of service utilization. The study recommends continued or expanded implementation of the Fadama III AF1 model, investments in rural infrastructure, and the establishment of additional machinery hiring centers to enhance farmers’ productivity and resilience.